Physiological origin of biogenic magnetic nanoparticles in health and disease: from bacteria to humans

Abstract

The discovery of biogenic magnetic nanoparticles (BMNPs) in the human brain gives a strong impulse to study and understand their origin. Although knowledge of the subject is increasing continuously, much remains to be done for further development to help our society fight a number of pathologies related to BMNPs. This review provides an insight into the puzzle of the physiological origin of BMNPs in organisms of all three domains of life: prokaryotes, archaea, and eukaryotes, including humans. Predictions based on comparative genomic studies are presented along with experimental data obtained by physical methods. State-of-the-art understanding of the genetic control of biomineralization of BMNPs and their properties are discussed in detail. We present data on the differences in BMNP levels in health and disease (cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and atherosclerosis), and discuss the existing hypotheses on the biological functions of BMNPs, with special attention paid to the role of the ferritin core and apoferritin.

Microbe‐Mediated Extracellular and Intracellular Mineralization: Environmental, Industrial, and Biotechnological Applications

“…Biogenic magnetic nanoparticles have been reported in various human organs, including the heart, liver, spleen, adrenal glands, ethmoid bone, and brain. [ 64 ] Magnetic remanence (residual magnetism) has been identified recently in the human body, particularly in the brain. [ 65 ] Magnetite is preferentially partitioned in the human brain, specifically in the cerebellum and brain stem.…”

Geoengineering, Coal Fly Ash and the New Heart-Iron Connection: Universal Exposure to Iron Oxide Nanoparticulates

“…In 2016 Maher et al [72] showed two types of magnetite in the brains of persons with dementia: euhedral biogenic particles and spherical exogenous particles most likely arising from air pollution. Magnetite in tissue paradoxically serves essential life functions while in excess or from external sources causes harmful effects and disease [130].…”

“…An excess of labile iron related to the inability of ferritin to retain iron in its core may represent an additional iron supply for magnetic nanoparticle biomineralization [130]. Iron oxide nanoparticles, but not zerovalent iron nanoparticles or coated iron oxide particles can cross plasma membranes.…”

Activated Sludge Biomass as Magnetic Biosorbent

“…Зважаючи на те що механізм біомінералізації біогенних магнітних наночастинок (БМН) єдиний для представників усіх царств живих організмів (бактерій, архей та еукаріотів [29][30][31]), важливо дослідити, чи є мікроорганізми активного мулу потенційними продуцентами БМН.…”