Greigite magnetosome membrane ultrastructure in ‘Candidatus Magnetoglobus multicellularis’

Authors

  • Fernanda Abreu Professor Paulo de Góes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
  • Karen T. Silva Professor Paulo de Góes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
  • Marcos Farina Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
  • Carolina N. Keim Professor Paulo de Góes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
  • Ulysses Lins Professor Paulo de Góes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro

Keywords:

‘Candidatus Magnetoglobus multicellularis’, greigite, magnetotactic bacteria, magnetosome ultrastructure, cytochemistry

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the greigite magnetosome membrane in the multicellular magnetotactic bacteria ‘Candidatus Magnetoglobus multicellularis’ was studied. Each cell contains 80 membrane-enclosed iron-sulfide magnetosomes. Cytochemistry methods showed that the magnetosomes are enveloped by a structure whose staining pattern and dimensions are similar to those of the cytoplasmic membrane, indicating that the magnetosome membrane likely originates from the cytoplasmic membrane. Freeze-fracture showed intramembrane particles in the vesicles surrounding each magnetosome. Observations of cell membrane invaginations, the trilaminar membrane structure of immature magnetosomes, and empty vesicles together suggested that greigite magnetosome formation begins by invagination of the cell membrane, as has been proposed for magnetite magnetosomes.

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Published

2009-02-24

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2008)

Section

Research Articles

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