Characterization of Mediterranean magnetotactic bacteria

Autor: Christopher T. Lefèvre, Jean-Paul Yonnet, Nathalie Pradel, Yoshihiro Fukumori, Afef Lebouc, Long-Fei Wu, Tao Song, Tian Xiao, Alain Bernadac, Kui Yu-Zhang
Rok vydání: 2007
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Ocean University of China. 6:355-359
ISSN: 1993-5021
1672-5182
DOI: 10.1007/s11802-007-0355-4
Popis: Magnetotactic bacteria are a diverse group of motile prokaryotes that are ubiquitous in aquatic habitats and cosmopolitan in distribution. In this study, we collected magnetotactic bacteria from the Mediterranean Sea. A remarkable diversity of morphotypes was observed, including multicellular types that seemed to differ from those previously found in North and South America. Another interesting organism was one with magnetosomes arranged in a six-stranded bundle which occupied one third of the cell width. The magnetosome bundle was evident even under optic microscopy. These cells were connected together and swam as a linear entire unit. Magnetosomes did not always align up to form a straight linear chain. A chain composed of rectangle magnetosomes bent at a position with an oval crystal. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the crystal at the pivotal position suggested uncompleted formation of the crystal. This is the first report of Mediterranean magnetotactic bacteria, which should be useful for studies of biogeochemical cycling and geohistory of the Mediterranean Sea.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz: