Bacterial biomineralization: new insights from Myxococcus -induced mineral precipitation

Abstract

Abstract Bacteria have contributed to the formation of minerals since the advent of life on Earth. Bacterial biomineralization plays a critical role on biogeochemical cycles and has important technological and environmental applications. Despite the numerous efforts to better understand how bacteria induce/mediate or control mineralization, our current knowledge is far from complete. Considering that the number of recent publications on bacterial biomineralization has been overwhelming, here we attempt to show the importance of bacteria–mineral interactions by focusing in a single bacterial genus, Myxococcus , which displays an unusual capacity of producing minerals of varying compositions and morphologies. First, an overview of the recent history of bacterial mineralization, the most common bacteriogenic minerals and current models on bacterial biomineralization is presented. Afterwards a description of myxobacteria is presented, followed by a section where Myxococcus -induced precipitation of a number of phosphates, carbonates, sulphates, chlorides, oxalates and silicates is described and discussed in lieu of the information presented in the first part. As concluding remarks, implications of bacterial mineralization and perspectives for future research are outlined. This review strives to show that the mechanisms which control bacterial biomineralization are not mineral- or bacterial-specific. On the contrary, they appear to be universal and depend on the environment in which bacteria dwell.