Magnetococcus sp. MC-1

Magnetococcus_sp.
Names Magnetococcus sp. MC-1
Accession numbers NC_008576
Background The Gram-negative magnetotactic bacteria Magnetococcus sp. are obligatory microaerophilic cocci phylogenetically associated with the alpha subdivision of the Proteobacteria. They use thiosulfate or sulfide as electron sources, while appearing to grow autotrophically, utilizing CO2 as the carbon source and producing internal sulfur globules. Cells of strain MC-1 are 1-2 microns in diameter and motile with two bundles of flagella located on one side of the cell, a flagellar pattern referred to as bilophotrichous. Each cell usually contains a single chain of membrane-bounded magnetite crystals (magnetosomes). Like all magnetotactic bacteria, cells of strain MC-1 produce only one crystal morphology, in this case, elongated pseudo hexahedral prisms of magnetite. This magnetite morphology is unusual and indicates that the biomineralization processes involved in magnetosome synthesis in this bacterium are under a high degree of genetic. There are typically 5 to 14 crystals per cell. Like other magnetotactic bacteria (e.g., Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum), Magnetococcus sp. use the chain of magnets as a compass to find favorable environmental conditions, the oxic-anoxic interface, by swimming along the Earth's geomagnetic field lines. However, unlike cells of M. magnetotacticum, which swim in both directions under oxic conditions, cells of MC-1 display a polar preference. It has been shown that magnetotaxis works in conjunction with aerotaxis. Cells of M. magnetotacticum appear to use the Earth's magnetic field lines as an axis for alignment and to rely on a temporal sensory mechanism of aerotaxis to find and maintain an optimal position in oxygen gradients; this is referred to as axial magneto-aerotaxis. Cells of MC-1 use the magnetic field directionally and appear to have a novel aerotactic sensory mechanism that seems to function as a two-way switch; this is referred to as polar magneto-aerotaxis. Cells of MC-1 also exhibit a response to short-wavelength light ( 500 nm), which causes them to swim persistently parallel to the magnetic field during illumination. (EBI Integr8)
Taxonomy
Kingdom:Bacteria
Phylum:Proteobacteria
Class:NA
Order:NA
Family:NA
Genus:NA
Species:NA
Strain MC-1
Complete Yes
Sequencing centre (13-NOV-2006) National Center for Biotechnology Information, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
(20-SEP-2006) US DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive B100, Walnut Creek, CA 94598-1698, USA
Sequencing quality Level 6: Finished
Sequencing depth NA
Sequencing method Sanger
Isolation site Water from the Pettaquamscutt Estuary in Rhode Island
Isolation country USA
Number of replicons 1
Gram staining properties Negative
Shape Cocci
Mobility Yes
Flagellar presence Yes
Number of membranes 2
Oxygen requirements Facultative
Optimal temperature NA
Temperature range Mesophilic
Habitat Aquatic
Biotic relationship Free living
Host name NA
Cell arrangement NA
Sporulation NA
Metabolism Iron reducer
Magnetite production
Energy source NA
Diseases NA
Pathogenicity No