Abstract
Magnetotactic bacteria orient and migrate along geomagnetic field lines. This ability is based on intracellular magnetic structures, the magnetosomes, which comprise nanometer-sized, membrane-bound crystals of the magnetic iron minerals magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4). Magnetosome formation is achieved by a mineralization process with biological control over the accumulation of iron and the deposition of the mineral particle with specific size and orientation within a membrane vesicle at specific locations in the cell. This review focuses on the current knowledge about magnetotactic bacteria and will outline aspects of the physiology and molecular biology of the biomineralization process. Potential biotechnological applications of magnetotactic bacteria and their magnetosomes as well as perspectives for further research are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 2 December 1998 / Received revision: 2 March 1999 / Accepted: 5 March 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schüler, D., Frankel, R. Bacterial magnetosomes: microbiology, biomineralization and biotechnological applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 52, 464–473 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051547
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051547