Biosynthesis of magnetic nanostructures in a foreign organism by transfer of bacterial magnetosome gene clusters

Kolinko, Isabel; Lohße, Anna; Borg, Sarah; Raschdorf, Oliver; Jogler, Christian; Tu, Qiang; Pósfai, Mihály; Tompa, Éva; Plitzko, Jürgen M.; Brachmann, Andreas; Wanner, Gerhard; Müller, Rolf; Zhang, Youming; Schüler, Dirk

doi:10.1038/nnano.2014.13

Cited by 211 publications

(200 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…19 Synthesis of magnetic nanomaterials using magnetotacic bacteria in vivo or related proteins in vitro has progressed quickly. 19,20 However, the role of surface hydrophobicity on the action of biomineralization proteins has not been well-studied and could have significant implications in bioinspired nanocrystal synthesis.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Surface Hydrophobicity on the Function of the Immobilized Biomineralization Protein Mms6

Liu

Zhang

Nayak

et al. 2015

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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Magnetotactic bacteria produce magnetic nanocrystals with uniform shapes and sizes in nature, which has inspired in vitro synthesis of uniformly sized magnetite nanocrystals under mild conditions. Mms6, a biomineralization protein from magnetotactic bacteria with a hydrophobic N-terminal domain and a hydrophilic C-terminal domain, can promote formation of magnetite nanocrystals in vitro with well-defined shape and size in gels under mild conditions. Here we investigate the role of surface hydrophobicity on the ability of Mms6 to template magnetite nanoparticle formation on surfaces. Our results confirmed that Mms6 can form a protein network structure on a monolayer of hydrophobic octadecanethiol (ODT)-coated gold surfaces and facilitate magnetite nanocrystal formation with uniform sizes close to those seen in nature, in contrast to its behavior on more hydrophilic surfaces. We propose that this hydrophobicity effect might be due to the amphiphilic nature of the Mms6 protein and its tendency to incorporate the hydrophobic Nterminal domain into the hydrophobic lipid bilayer environment of the magnetosome membrane, exposing the hydrophilic C-terminal domain that promotes biomineralization. Supporting this hypothesis, the larger and well-formed magnetite nanoparticles were found to be preferentially located on ODT surfaces covered with Mms6 as compared to control samples, as characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy studies. A C-terminal domain mutant of this protein did not form the same network structure as wild-type Mms6, suggesting that the network structure is important for the magnetite nanocrystal formation. This study provides valuable insights into the role of surface hydrophilicity on the action of the biomineralization protein Mms6 to synthesize magnetic nanocrystals and provides a facile route to controlling bioinspired nanocrystal synthesis in vitro. ABSTRACT: Magnetotactic bacteria produce magnetic nanocrystals with uniform shapes and sizes in nature, which has inspired in vitro synthesis of uniformly sized magnetite nanocrystals under mild conditions. Mms6, a biomineralization protein from magnetotactic bacteria with a hydrophobic N-terminal domain and a hydrophilic C-terminal domain, can promote formation of magnetite nanocrystals in vitro with well-defined shape and size in gels under mild conditions. Here we investigate the role of surface hydrophobicity on the ability of Mms6 to template magnetite nanoparticle formation on surfaces. Our results confirmed that Mms6 can form a protein network structure on a monolayer of hydrophobic octadecanethiol (ODT)-coated gold surfaces and facilitate magnetite nanocrystal formation with uniform sizes close to those seen in nature, in contrast to its behavior on more hydrophilic surfaces. We propose that this hydrophobicity effect might be due to the amphiphilic nature of the Mms6 protein and its tendency to incorporate the hydrophobic N-terminal domain into the hydroph...

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Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Surface Hydrophobicity on the Function of the Immobilized Biomineralization Protein Mms6

Liu

Zhang

Nayak

et al. 2015

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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“…6 In M. gryphiswaldense, Fe ions first enter the cytoplasm; this process is followed by magnetosome membrane synthesis and crystallization and subsequently by magnetosome arrangement and placement in the intracellular environment. All of these functions in M. gryphiswaldense are controlled by mamAB genes and aided by three auxiliary genes, namely, mamGFDC, mms6 and mamXY.…”

Section: Magnetic Nanoparticle Synthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Addition of mamXY to the cells with mamAB, mms6 and mamGFDC, which are denoted as R. rubrum A6GX (Species genus STRAIN), led to the synthesis of 24-nm magnetite nanoparticles capped with a thick layer of proteins. Because feoAB1 in M. gryphiswaldense controls the arrangement of magnetosomes, 6 the introduction of feoAB1 to R. rubrumA6GX enabled the cells to synthesize magnetosomes with chains 440 nm in length. In those genetic engineering approaches, the proteins coated on the nanoparticles were identified using molecular techniques in which the proteins were removed using detergents and were reported as 12.4 kDa in size.…”

Section: Magnetic Nanoparticle Synthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The unclear mechanisms of the biosynthesis of Ag, Cu and magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are another issue to be resolved. 6,9,13 For example, the investigation of the mechanisms that cause the silver-resistant Morganella spp. to form Ag, Cu nanoparticles and magnetosomes derived from M. gryphiswaldense is in a preliminary stage.…”

Section: Concluding Remarks and Prospectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, the upregulation of specific proteins causes other functional proteins to remain in a less active state, and control of the reactant supply could have a role in controlling the nucleation and growth of metal nanoparticles. 3,[5][6][7] These strategies facilitate the formation of nanoparticles of homogeneous sizes and shapes. A study using microfluidics showed promising results for potential scale-up.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nanoparticle biosynthesis using unicellular and subcellular supports

2015

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Modern life is becoming increasingly sophisticated because of products engineered using designs inspired by nature. Fifty years ago, the burdock plant motivated Swiss scientists to invent Velcro, which was a simple but widely applied design that is still considered the greatest biomimetic invention yet. In nanotechnology, interest in biosynthesis of nanoparticles is increasing, particularly in the use of unicellular and subcellular supports. However, the polydispersity of the resultant structure, limited opportunity for product control and commercial applications of biosynthesized nanoparticles remain as challenges. Using different approaches, studies have attempted to understand nanoparticle biosynthesis and control of particle size and uniformity. In the biotechnological approach, gene sequences that were identified in one organism via gene silencing and were critical for nanoparticle synthesis were introduced and expressed in a different organism or overexpressed by promoters in the same organism to enhance productivity. In contrast, physical and chemical approaches were used for the control of nanoparticle synthesis. To provide a comprehensive understanding of nanoparticle biosynthesis using unicellular and subcellular supports, this review discusses recent studies and experimental evidence in the following categories: synthesis of metal, quantum dot, magnetic and bacterial protein nanoparticles.

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Magnetotaxis in Prokaryotes

Abreu¹,

Morillo

Trubitsyn

et al. 2020

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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Magnetotaxis refers to the behaviour of some motile, aquatic bacteria that orient and swim along magnetic field lines. These microorganisms, called magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), contain intracellular structures known as magnetosomes, which are nano‐sized, magnetic, iron‐mineral crystals, each enveloped by a biological (phospholipid bilayer) membrane. Magnetosomes are usually arranged in chains within the cell, providing it with a permanent magnetic dipole moment that facilitates these bacteria in locating and maintaining an optimal, preferred position in chemically stratified aquatic habitats having vertical chemical (e.g. O 2 ) gradients. For many MTB, this is at or below the oxic–anoxic interface in the water column or sediment. Although all MTB are motile by means of flagella and have a cell wall structure characteristic of Gram‐negative bacteria, their diversity is reflected in them possessing a large number of different morphotypes and phylotypes in diverse aquatic environments. Recently, magnetotaxis has been described in microorganisms (protozoa) belonging to the Domain Eukarya , revealing a complex scenario regarding the evolution of magnetic field orientation, in which symbioses between magnetosome‐producing bacteria and cells without magnetosomes should be considered. Key Concepts Some prokaryotes (bacteria), like eukaryotes, internally compartmentalise and contain organelles. The prokaryotic flagellum in magnetotactic bacteria rotates clockwise and counter‐clockwise thereby propelling the cell forwards and backwards during swimming. Magnetotaxis appears to be a mechanism to make bacterial chemotaxis more effective using the Earth's geomagnetic field. This behaviour can be observed under the microscope by controlling bacterial motility through an artificial magnetic field (magnet). Magnetotactic bacteria contain intracellular, nano‐scale, membrane‐enveloped, magnetic iron‐mineral crystals called magnetosomes. Magnetosomes impart a permanent magnetic dipole moment to cells of magnetotactic bacteria causing them to behave as miniature, motile, compass needles. Magnetotaxis works in conjunction with aerotaxis, and possibly other forms of chemotaxis, to increase energy transduction in magnetotactic bacteria. Genes for magnetosome formation are generally clustered in the genomes of magnetotactic bacteria. Magnetotactic bacteria are important in the cycling of a number of important elements including carbon, iron, nitrogen and sulfur.

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Biosynthesis of magnetic nanostructures in a foreign organism by transfer of bacterial magnetosome gene clusters

Cited by 211 publications

References 33 publications

Effect of Surface Hydrophobicity on the Function of the Immobilized Biomineralization Protein Mms6

Effect of Surface Hydrophobicity on the Function of the Immobilized Biomineralization Protein Mms6

Nanoparticle biosynthesis using unicellular and subcellular supports

Magnetotaxis in Prokaryotes

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