scholarly journals Flagella and Swimming Behavior of Marine Magnetotactic Bacteria

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 460
Author(s):  
Wei-Jia Zhang ◽  
Long-Fei Wu
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Marine Bacteria ◽  
Flagellar Apparatus ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Swimming Behavior ◽  
Physiological Significance ◽  
Water Columns ◽  
Response Systems ◽  
Intermittent Motion

Marine environments are generally characterized by low bulk concentrations of nutrients that are susceptible to steady or intermittent motion driven by currents and local turbulence. Marine bacteria have therefore developed strategies, such as very fast-swimming and the exploitation of multiple directional sensing–response systems in order to efficiently migrate towards favorable places in nutrient gradients. The magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) even utilize Earth’s magnetic field to facilitate downward swimming into the oxic–anoxic interface, which is the most favorable place for their persistence and proliferation, in chemically stratified sediments or water columns. To ensure the desired flagella-propelled motility, marine MTBs have evolved an exquisite flagellar apparatus, and an extremely high number (tens of thousands) of flagella can be found on a single entity, displaying a complex polar, axial, bounce, and photosensitive magnetotactic behavior. In this review, we describe gene clusters, the flagellar apparatus architecture, and the swimming behavior of marine unicellular and multicellular magnetotactic bacteria. The physiological significance and mechanisms that govern these motions are discussed.

scholarly journals Magnetotaxis as a Means for Nanofabrication

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 1450008
Author(s):  
Isaac Macwan ◽  
Zihe Zhao ◽  
Omar Sobh ◽  
Jinnque Rho ◽  
Ausif Mahmood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Semiconductor Manufacturing ◽  
Magnetic Field Intensity ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Semiconductor Substrate ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Magnetospirillum Magneticum ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), discovered in early 1970s contain single-domain crystals of magnetite ( Fe 3 O 4) called magnetosomes that tend to form a chain like structure from the proximal to the distal pole along the long axis of the cell. The ability of these bacteria to sense the magnetic field for displacement, also called magnetotaxis, arises from the magnetic dipole moment of this chain of magnetosomes. In aquatic habitats, these organisms sense the geomagnetic field and traverse the oxic-anoxic interface for optimal oxygen concentration along the field lines. Here we report an elegant use of MTB where magnetotaxis of Magnetospirillum magneticum (classified as AMB-1) could be utilized for controlled navigation over a semiconductor substrate for selective deposition. We examined 50mm long coils made out of 18AWG and 20AWG copper conductors having diameters of 5mm, 10mm and 20mm for magnetic field intensity and heat generation. Based on the COMSOL simulations and experimental data, it is recognized that a compound semiconductor manufacturing technology involving bacterial carriers and carbon-based materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes would be a desirable choice in the future.

scholarly journals Only One of the Five CheY Homologs in Vibrio cholerae Directly Switches Flagellar Rotation

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (24) ◽  
pp. 8403-8410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiro Hyakutake ◽  
Michio Homma ◽  
Melissa J. Austin ◽  
Markus A. Boin ◽  
Claudia C. Häse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Swimming Behavior ◽  
Phosphoryl Group ◽  
Flagellar Motor ◽  
Response Regulators ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Control Functions ◽  
Flagellar Rotation ◽  
Principal Roles

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae has three sets of chemotaxis (Che) proteins, including three histidine kinases (CheA) and four response regulators (CheY) that are encoded by three che gene clusters. We deleted the cheY genes individually or in combination and found that only the cheY3 deletion impaired chemotaxis, reinforcing the previous conclusion that che cluster II is involved in chemotaxis. However, this does not exclude the involvement of the other clusters in chemotaxis. In other bacteria, phospho-CheY binds directly to the flagellar motor to modulate its rotation, and CheY overexpression, even without CheA, causes extremely biased swimming behavior. We reasoned that a V. cholerae CheY homolog, if it directly controls flagellar rotation, should also induce extreme swimming behavior when overproduced. This was the case for CheY3 (che cluster II). However, no other CheY homolog, including the putative CheY (CheY0) protein encoded outside the che clusters, affected swimming, demonstrating that these CheY homologs cannot act directly on the flagellar motor. CheY4 very slightly enhanced the spreading of an Escherichia coli cheZ mutant in semisolid agar, raising the possibility that it can affect chemotaxis by removing a phosphoryl group from CheY3. We also found that V. cholerae CheY3 and E. coli CheY are only partially exchangeable. Mutagenic analyses suggested that this may come from coevolution of the interacting pair of proteins, CheY and the motor protein FliM. Taken together, it is likely that the principal roles of che clusters I and III as well as cheY0 are to control functions other than chemotaxis.

scholarly journals A Compass To Boost Navigation: Cell Biology of Bacterial Magnetotaxis

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank D. Müller ◽  
Dirk Schüler ◽  
Daniel Pfeiffer
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Complex Cell ◽  
Magnetite Biomineralization ◽  
Directed Motility ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Magnetotactic bacteria are aquatic or sediment-dwelling microorganisms able to take advantage of the Earth’s magnetic field for directed motility. The source of this amazing trait is magnetosomes, unique organelles used to synthesize single nanometer-sized crystals of magnetic iron minerals that are queued up to build an intracellular compass. Most of these microorganisms cannot be cultivated under controlled conditions, much less genetically engineered, with only few exceptions. However, two of the genetically amenable Magnetospirillum species have emerged as tractable model organisms to study magnetosome formation and magnetotaxis. Recently, much has been revealed about the process of magnetosome biogenesis and dedicated structures for magnetosome dynamics and positioning, which suggest an unexpected cellular intricacy of these organisms. In this minireview, we summarize new insights and place the molecular mechanisms of magnetosome formation in the context of the complex cell biology of Magnetospirillum spp. First, we provide an overview on magnetosome vesicle synthesis and magnetite biomineralization, followed by a discussion of the perceptions of dynamic organelle positioning and its biological implications, which highlight that magnetotactic bacteria have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to construct, incorporate, and inherit a unique navigational device. Finally, we discuss the impact of magnetotaxis on motility and its interconnection with chemotaxis, showing that magnetotactic bacteria are outstandingly adapted to lifestyle and habitat.

scholarly journals Biomagnetic Recovery and Bioaccumulation of Selenium Granules in Magnetotactic Bacteria

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (13) ◽  
pp. 3886-3891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayoshi Tanaka ◽  
William Knowles ◽  
Rosemary Brown ◽  
Nicole Hondow ◽  
Atsushi Arakaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
External Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Particles ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Selenium Nanoparticles ◽  
Water Remediation ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Elemental Selenium ◽  
Cell Recovery

ABSTRACTUsing microorganisms to remove waste and/or neutralize pollutants from contaminated water is attracting much attention due to the environmentally friendly nature of this methodology. However, cell recovery remains a bottleneck and a considerable challenge for the development of this process. Magnetotactic bacteria are a unique group of organisms that can be manipulated by an external magnetic field due to the presence of biogenic magnetite crystals formed within their cells. In this study, we demonstrated an account of accumulation and precipitation of amorphous elemental selenium nanoparticles within magnetotactic bacteria alongside and independent of magnetite crystal biomineralization when grown in a medium containing selenium oxyanion (SeO32−). Quantitative analysis shows that magnetotactic bacteria accumulate the largest amount of target molecules (Se) per cell compared with any other previously reported nonferrous metal/metalloid. For example, 2.4 and 174 times more Se is accumulated than Te taken up into cells and Cd2+adsorbed onto the cell surface, respectively. Crucially, the bacteria with high levels of Se accumulation were successfully recovered with an external magnetic field. The biomagnetic recovery and the effective accumulation of target elements demonstrate the potential for application in bioremediation of polluted water.IMPORTANCEThe development of a technique for effective environmental water remediation is urgently required across the globe. A biological remediation process of waste removal and/or neutralization of pollutant from contaminated water using microorganisms has great potential, but cell recovery remains a bottleneck. Magnetotactic bacteria synthesize magnetic particles within their cells, which can be recovered by a magnetic field. Herein, we report an example of accumulation and precipitation of amorphous elemental selenium nanoparticles within magnetotactic bacteria independent of magnetic particle synthesis. The cells were able to accumulate the largest amount of Se compared to other foreign elements. More importantly, the Se-accumulating bacteria were successfully recovered with an external magnetic field. We believe magnetotactic bacteria confer unique advantages of biomagnetic cell recovery and of Se accumulation, providing a new and effective methodology for bioremediation of polluted water.

scholarly journals Two Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequences of Magnetotactic Bacteria in the Order Magnetococcales

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (35) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wensi Zhang ◽  
Runjia Ji ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Yongxin Pan ◽  
Long-Fei Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Model System ◽  
Genome Sequences

ABSTRACT Magnetotactic bacteria represent a valuable model system for the study of microbial biomineralization and magnetotaxis. Here, we report two metagenome-assembled genome sequences of uncultivated magnetotactic bacteria belonging to the order Magnetococcales. These genomes contain nearly complete magnetosome gene clusters responsible for magnetosome biomineralization.

Wastewater treatment by bio-magnetic separation: a comparison of iron oxide and iron sulphide biomass recovery

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 311-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Bahaj ◽  
P. A. B. James ◽  
F. D. Moeschler
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Iron Oxide ◽  
Magnetic Separation ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Processing Conditions ◽  
Iron Sulphide ◽  
Single Wire ◽  
Biomass Recovery ◽  
Reducing Bacteria

Many microorganisms have an affinity to accumulate metal ions onto their surfaces, which results in metal loading of the biomass. Microbial biomineralisation of iron produces a biomass, which is often highly magnetic and can be separated from water systems by the application of a magnetic field. This paper reports on the magnetic separation of biomass containing microbial iron oxide (Fe3O4, present within magnetotactic bacteria) and iron sulphide (Fe1-XS, precipitated extracellularly by sulphate reducing bacteria) in a single wire cell. Since such bacteria can be separated magnetically, their affinity to heavy metal or organic material accumulation renders them useful for the removal of pollutants from wastewater. The relative merits of each bacterium to magnetic separation techniques in terms of applied magnetic field and processing conditions are discussed.

scholarly journals Toward Cloning of the Magnetotactic Metagenome: Identification of Magnetosome Island Gene Clusters in Uncultivated Magnetotactic Bacteria from Different Aquatic Sediments

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 3972-3979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Jogler ◽  
Wei Lin ◽  
Anke Meyerdierks ◽  
Michael Kube ◽  
Emanuel Katzmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Hybridization Analysis ◽  
Dna Fragments ◽  
Aquatic Habitats ◽  
Aquatic Sediments ◽  
Gene Probes ◽  
Magnetic Enrichment ◽  
Mass Collection

ABSTRACT In this report, we describe the selective cloning of large DNA fragments from magnetotactic metagenomes from various aquatic habitats. This was achieved by a two-step magnetic enrichment which allowed the mass collection of environmental magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) virtually free of nonmagnetic contaminants. Four fosmid libraries were constructed and screened by end sequencing and hybridization analysis using heterologous magnetosome gene probes. A total of 14 fosmids were fully sequenced. We identified and characterized two fosmids, most likely originating from two different alphaproteobacterial strains of MTB that contain several putative operons with homology to the magnetosome island (MAI) of cultivated MTB. This is the first evidence that uncultivated MTB exhibit similar yet differing organizations of the MAI, which may account for the diversity in biomineralization and magnetotaxis observed in MTB from various environments.

scholarly journals Stokesian dynamics simulations of a magnetotactic bacterium

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Mohammadinejad ◽  
Damien Faivre ◽  
Stefan Klumpp
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
External Magnetic Field ◽  
Cell Body ◽  
Magnetic Moment ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Swimming Velocity ◽  
Stokesian Dynamics ◽  
Inclination Angles ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractThe swimming of bacteria provides insight into propulsion and steering under the conditions of low-Reynolds number hydrodynamics. Here we address the magnetically steered swimming of magnetotactic bacteria. We use Stokesian dynamics simulations to study the swimming of single-flagellated magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) in an external magnetic field. Our model MTB consists of a spherical cell body equipped with a magnetic dipole moment and a helical flagellum rotated by a rotary motor. The elasticity of the flagellum as well as magnetic and hydrodynamic interactions is taken into account in this model. We characterized how the swimming velocity is dependent on parameters of the model. We then studied the U-turn motion after a field reversal and found two regimes for weak and strong fields and, correspondingly, two characteristic time scales. In the two regimes, the U-turn time is dominated by the turning of the cell body and its magnetic moment or the turning of the flagellum, respectively. In the regime for weak fields, where turning is dominated by the magnetic relaxation, the U-turn time is approximately in agreement with a theoretical model based on torque balance. In the strong-field regime, strong deformations of the flagellum are observed. We further simulated the swimming of a bacterium with a magnetic moment that is inclined relative to the flagellar axis. This scenario leads to intriguing double helical trajectories that we characterize as functions of the magnetic moment inclination and the magnetic field. For small inclination angles ($$\lesssim {20^{\circ }}$$≲20∘) and typical field strengths, the inclination of the magnetic moment has only a minor effect on the swimming of MTB in an external magnetic field. Large inclination angles result in a strong reduction in the velocity in direction of the magnetic field, consistent with recent observations that bacteria with large inclination angles use a different propulsion mechanism.Graphic abstract

Sensing of Local, Highly Concentrated Magnetic Field Gradients in Magnetotactic Bacteria Induces Motility Reversal

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina M. González ◽  
Warren C. Ruder ◽  
William C. Messner ◽  
Philip R. LeDuc
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Magnetotactic Bacteria ◽  
Chemical Gradients ◽  
Field Gradients ◽  
Magnetic Field Gradients ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
Unicellular Organisms ◽  
Sense And Respond ◽  
Direction Reversal

Many motile unicellular organisms have evolved specialized behaviors for detecting and responding to chemical gradients (chemotaxis) or oxygen (aerotaxis), while magnetotactic bacteria sense magnetic fields to align their direction of movement. Herein we show that Magnetospirillum magneticum (AMB-1) have the ability to sense and respond not only to the direction of magnetic fields of naturally occurring magnitude, but also to local, highly concentrated magnetic field gradients that do not occur in their natural environment. We imposed these gradients through our system integrating Helmholtz coils and permalloy (Ni80Fe20) microstructures. The AMB-1 exhibit three distinct behaviors as they approached gradients near the microstructures—unidirectional, single direction reversal, and double direction reversal. These results indicate previously unknown capabilities of the magnetic sensing systems of AMB-1.

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