Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2013, Vol. 0 ›› Issue (8): 28-35.

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress of Magnetosome Formation Genes and Proteins

Liu Xinxing, Yun Hui, Xie Jianping, Huo Zhuanzhuan, Wu Haiyan, Yang Yingjie   

  1. (Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy of Ministry of Education,School of Mineral Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University,Changsha 410083)
  • Received:2013-01-27 Revised:2013-08-11 Online:2013-08-11 Published:2013-09-02

Abstract: Magnetotactic bacteria are able to synthesize nano-scale crystals called magnetosomes which contain a lipid bilayer membrane. Based on their bio-compatibility and well-dispersibility, these crystals are potentially to be widely applied in molecular biology, immunology, medicine, information storage, and the removal of heavy metals in polluted waters, so do the distinct theoretical significance in geology. Due to the unknown information for magnetosome formation and chain assembly, of which the main researches are focusing on Magnetospirullum, the majority of magnetotactic bacteria in the environment and their magnetotactic particles are difficult to study. Metagenomics focuses on the environmental samples to exploit the microbial sequences and functions with the pure culture waived, which can be applied in the research of environmental magnetotactic bacteria. The essay will briefly introduce the recent researches on genes and proteins referring to the magnetosome synthesis and chains assembly. Meanwhile, some researches on magnetotactic bacteria and magnetosomes using metagenomics technology were exhibited, and some viewpoints and prospects were put forward.

Key words: Magnetotactic bacteria, Magnetosomes, Metagenomics, Genes, Proteins