Abstract
Magnetosomes synthesized in magnetotactic bacteria function as a cellular compass to navigate along the Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetosome contains various types of specific associated proteins. Most of the magnetosome-associated proteins are encoded in gene clusters within a genetic “magnetosome island,” which is essential for the synthesis of magnetosomes. Our atomic force microscopy studies indicated that the thickness of the organic layer wrapped around the magnetite crystal was ~7 nm, and magnetosome-associated protein MamA was localized at the surface of the organic layer. In this review we present recent progress on “Structure and Function of Magnetosomes” and propose the structural model of magnetosomes in the cell.
