Fe₃O₄ Precipitation in Magnetotactic Bacteria

Author Info

Richard B. Frankel, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyFollow
Georgia C. Papaefthymiou, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Richard P. Blakemore, University of New Hampshire
Wendy O'Brien, University of New Hampshire

Recommended Citation

Postprint version. Published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA), Volume 763, Issue 2, September 22, 1983, pages 147-159.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Richard B. Frankel was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4889(83)90038-1.

Abstract

Using Mössbauer resonance spectroscopy of ⁵⁷Fe, we have determined the nature and distribution of major iron compounds in the magnetotactic bacterium Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum. In addition to magnetite (Fe₃O₄), cells contained a low-density hydrous ferric oxide, a high-density hydrous ferric oxide (ferrihydrite), and ferrous iron. Analysis at different temperatures of whole cells harvested early and late in growth, of mutant cells unable to synthesize magnetite, and of cell fractions enriched in ⁵⁷Fe indicated that Fe₃O₄ precipitation resulted from partial reduction of the high-density hydrous ferric oxide precursor.

Disciplines

Physics

Copyright

1983 Elsevier.