Structure and Function of Aligned Magnetic Crystals in Magnetotactic Bacteria

Magnetotactic bacteria swim along the magnetic field using a unique bacterial organelle termed the magnetosome. Magnetosomes are comprised of nano-sized crystals of magnetite or greigite enclosed within lipid bilayer membrane vesicles and specifically associated proteins. The integration of magnetosomes in motility allows magnetotactic bacteria to orient themselves to find a favorable microaerobic habitat. Most of the magnetosome-associated proteins are encoded in gene clusters within a “magnetosome island.” Additionally, these proteins are highly conserved and essential for the synthesis and maintenance of magnetosomes. In this chapter, we will briefly introduce general insight into magnetotactic bacteria, and then, we will present recent research progress on magnetosome structure and function.