Abstract
Magnetotactic bacteria represent a diverse group of motile prokaryotes that biomineralize intracellular, membrane-bounded, and tens-of-nanometer-sized crystals of a magnetic mineral, either magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4). These structures are called magnetosomes and cause cells to align along the Earth’s geomagnetic field lines as they swim, a trait called magnetotaxis. Magnetotactic bacteria are known to mainly inhabit the oxic-anoxic interface (OAI) of aquatic habitats, and it is currently thought that the magnetosomes function as a means of making chemotaxis more efficient in locating and maintaining an optimal position for growth and survival at the OAI. Until recently, no species of magnetotactic bacteria was ever found to be present in extreme environments. Recently, however, alkalophilic and moderately thermophilic magnetotactic bacteria were described and opened the possibility of the existence of magnetotactic bacteria in other extreme environments.
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