Exploring the host range for genetic transfer of magnetic organelle biosynthesis

Abstract

Magnetosomes produced by magnetotactic bacteria have great potential for application in biotechnology and medicine due to their unique physicochemical properties and high biocompatibility. Recent studies uncovered the genetic determinants for magnetosome formation and inspired ideas to transfer the pathway into hitherto non-magnetic organisms. However, previous efforts to genetically magnetize other species have been successful in only a few bacterial recipients, revealing significant challenges in this approach. Here, by systematic examination of 25 proteobacterial hosts, we generated 7 novel magnetosome-producing strains. We further characterized the recombinant magnetosomes produced by these strains and delineate a set of auxiliary factors linked to magnetosome formation. Our findings will have significant implications for generation of magnetized life cells and the potential to facilitate the production of biogenic magnetic nanoparticles for a wide range of biomedical applications.

The under-recognized dominance of magnetosome gene cluster-containing bacteria in oxygen-stratified freshwater ecosystems

“…Although whether MGC-containing bacteria identified here are truly magnetotactic needs further investigations, considering that transcriptionally silent magnetosome genes may have the potential to be activated under certain conditions 69 , the unexpectedly high relative abundance of MGC-containing bacteria in freshwater microbiota and the predominance of Deltaproteobacteria in MGC-containing communities not only improve our understanding of diversity and ecology of putative MTB but also highlight the previous underestimation of their roles in global biogeochemical cycling in oxygen-stratified habitats. Moreover, newly identified MGCs from different taxonomic lineages in this study provide valuable functional gene resources for future production of transgenic biogenic magnetic nanoparticles with various sizes, shapes, and physicochemical properties in foreign hosts 70–72 .…”

The phototrophic bacteriaRhodomicrobiumspp. are novel chassis for bioplastic production

“…On the other hand, Rhodomicrobium vannielii and Rhodomicrobium udaipurense are severely understudied in this context. Consequently, reliable genetic systems are sparse, with few reports on successful genetic manipulation in this genus (Dziuba et al, 2023). It stands to reason that future efforts should focus on organisms like TIE-1 with well- Rhodomicrobium warrant further consideration in light of these findings.…”