Endosomal sorting complex required transport (ESCRT) III proteins are essential for membrane remodeling and repair across all domains of life. Eukaryotic ESCRT-III and the cyanobacterial homologs PspA and Vipp1/Imm30 remodel membrane into vesicles, rings, filaments and tubular rods structures. Here our microscopy analysis showed that multicellular bacteria, referred to as magnetoglobules, possess multiple compartments including magnetosome organelles, polyphosphate granules, vesicles, rings, tubular rods, filaments and MVB-like structures. Therefore, membrane remodeling protein PspA might be required for the formation of these compartments, and contribute to the morphogenesis and evolution of multicellularity. To assess these hypotheses, we sequenced nine genomes of magnetoglobules and found a significant genome expansion compared to unicellular magnetotactic bacteria. Moreover, PspA was ubiquitous in magnetoglobules and formed a distinct clade on the tree of eubacterial and archaeal ESCRT-III. The phylogenetic feature suggested the evolution of magnetoglobules from a unicellular ancestor of deltaproteobacterium. Hetero-expression of ellipsoidal magnetoglobule pspA2 gene alone in Escherichia coli resulted in intracellular membrane aggregation. GFP fusion labeling revealed polar location of PspA2 in rod-shaped unicells and regular interval location in filamentous cells. Cryo-electron tomography analysis showed filament bundle, membrane sacculus, vesicles and MVB-like structure in the cells expressing PspA2. Moreover, electron-dense area with a similar distribution as GFP-PspA2 foci in filamentous cells changed the inward orientation of the septum, which might interfere with the cell division. Collectively, these results show the membrane remodeling function of magnetoglobule PspA proteins, which may contribute to morphogenesis and the evolution of multicellularity of magnetotactic bacteria.

Multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes (MMPs) exhibit peculiar coordination of swimming along geomagnetic field lines. Approximately 40-80 cells assemble, with a helical geometry or axisymmetry, into spherical or ellipsoidal MMPs respectively. To contribute to a comprehensive understanding of bacterial multicellularity here we took multiple microscopic approaches to study the diversity, assembly, reproduction and motility of ellipsoidal MMPs. Using correlative fluorescence in situ hybridization and scanning electron microscopy analysis, we found an unexpected diversity in populations of ellipsoidal MMPs in the Mediterranean Sea. The high-pressure freezing/freeze substitution fixation technique allowed us to show, for the first time, that cells adhere via juxtaposed membranes and are held together by a rimming lattice. Fluorescence confocal microscopy and ultrathin section images revealed not only the one-layer hollow three-dimensional architecture, but also periphery-core unilateral constriction of constituent cells and unidirectional binary fission of the ellipsoidal MMPs. This finding suggests the evolution toward MMPs multicellularity via the mechanism of incomplete separation of offspring. Remarkably, thousands of flagellar at the periphery surface of cells underpin the coordinated swimming of MMPs in response to mechanical, chemical, magnetic and optical stimuli, including a magnetotactic photokinesis behaviour. Together these results unveil the unique structure and function property of ellipsoidal MMPs.

荣成月湖是一个典型天然潟湖,潮间带沉积物中存在多种形态趋磁细菌.通过Roche 454高通量测序平台,对沉积物样品(B_S)和磁收样品(B_M)进行16S rRNA基因高通量测序,认识荣成潮间带沉积物的细菌群落结构,并了解趋磁细菌多样性及系统进化地位.研究结果表明沉积物样品中主要的细菌类群为δ-变形菌纲,占总细菌数的26.4％,其次是γ-变形菌纲和α-变形菌纲;而磁收样品中细菌多样性和种类明显降低,以α-变形菌纲占绝对优势,相对比例达72.6％.在磁收样品和沉积物样品分别发现了1612条和186条reads与趋磁细菌相关,分别占细菌总数的5.76％和0.85％,磁收样品中趋磁细菌数是沉积物样品的6.8倍.对两个样品中获得的趋磁细菌序列进行系统进化分析,发现这些序列多数属于变形菌门的 α-变形菌纲,以趋磁球菌占绝对优势,少数属于 δ-变形菌纲,与多细胞趋磁原核生物亲缘关系最近.海洋趋磁螺菌属仅在B_M样品中检出,趋磁弧菌属在B_M样品优势度高于B_S样品,而多细胞趋磁原核生物和趋磁螺菌属在B_S样品中优势度更高.通过分析样品间的差异OTUs,认为荣成潮间带沉积物中可能存在大量未知的趋磁细菌新类群.研究结果为下一步培养和开发趋磁细菌这一功能菌群,发现趋磁细菌新类群及趋磁细菌生态功能提供了基础资料.

Magnetotactic bacteria are a group of Gram-negative bacteria that synthesize magnetic crystals, enabling them to navigate in relation to magnetic field lines. Morphologies of magnetotactic bacteria include spirillum, coccoid, rod, vibrio, and multicellular morphotypes. The coccid shape is generally the most abundant morphotype among magnetotactic bacteria. Here we describe a species of giant rod-shaped magnetotactic bacteria (designated QR-1) collected from sediment in the low tide zone of Huiquan Bay (Yellow Sea, China). This morphotype accounted for 90% of the magnetotactic bacteria collected, and the only taxonomic group which was detected in the sampling site. Microscopy analysis revealed that QR-1 cells averaged (6.71±1.03)×(1.54±0.20) μm in size, and contained in each cell 42–146 magnetosomes that are arranged in a bundle formed one to four chains along the long axis of the cell. The QR-1 cells displayed axial magnetotaxis with an average velocity of 70±28 μm/s. Transmission electron microscopy based analysis showed that QR-1 cells had two tufts of flagella at each end. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA genes revealed that QR-1 together with three other rod-shaped uncultivated magnetotactic bacteria are clustered into a deep branch of Alphaproteobacteria .

Marine magnetotactic bacteria were collected from the intertidal sediments of Yuehu Lake (China), where their abundance reached 103–104 ind./cm3. Diverse morphotypes of magnetotactic bacteria were observed, including cocci and oval, vibrio-, spirillum-, rod-, elliptical-, handle- and bar-shaped forms. The magnetococci were the most abundant, and had flagella arranged in parallel within a bundle. The majority of magnetosomes were arranged in one, two or multiple chains, although irregular arrangements were also evident. All the results of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis show that magnetosome crystals were composed of Fe3O4, and their morphology was specific to particular cell morphotypes. By the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, we found fourteen operational taxonomic units (OTUs) which were related to magnetotactic bacteria. Among these, thirteen belonged to the Alphaproteobacteria and one to the Gammaproteobacteria. Compared with known axenic and uncultured marine magnetotactic bacteria, the 16S rRNA gene sequences of most magnetotactic bacteria collected from the Yuehu Lake exhibited sequence identities ranging from 90.1% to 96.2% (<97%). The results indicate that microbial communities containing previously unidentified magnetotactic bacteria occur in the Yuehu Lake.

Magnetotactic multicellular prokaryotes (MMPs) consist of unique microorganisms formed by genetically identical Gram-negative bacterial that live as a single individual capable of producing magnetic nano-particles called magnetosomes. Two distinct morphotypes of MMPs are known: spherical MMPs (sMMPs) and ellipsoidal MMPs (eMMPs). sMMPs have been extensively characterized, but less information exists for eMMPs. Here, we report the ultrastructure and organization as well as gene clusters responsible for magnetosome and flagella biosynthesis in the magnetite magnetosome producer eMMP Candidatus Magnetananas rongchenensis. Transmission electron microscopy and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) 3D reconstruction reveal that cells with a conspicuous core-periphery polarity were organized around a central space. Magnetosomes were organized in multiple chains aligned along the periphery of each cell. In the partially sequenced genome, magnetite-related mamAB gene and mad gene clusters were identified. Two cell morphologies were detected: irregular elliptical conical 'frustum-like' (IECF) cells and H-shaped cells. IECF cells merge to form H-shaped cells indicating a more complex structure and possibly a distinct evolutionary position of eMMPs when compared with sMMPs considering multicellularity.

在青岛太平湾潮间带沉积物中发现了一定量的海洋趋磁细菌,最大丰度可达350个/cm~3。透射电镜观察发现该区域趋磁细菌均为趋磁球菌。磁小体个体形状单一,皆是立方体状;磁小体排列方式多样,以链状排列为主,包括单链、双链与多链,也有少数成簇排列。EDS结果表明,磁小体成分为四氧化三铁。据估算,趋磁细菌的铁元素含量（干重）范围在0.40%—6.91%之间,平均为2.19%。通过16S rRNA基因文库的构建与测序得到了47个趋磁细菌序列,分属13个OTU。系统发育分析结果表明,它们都属于α-变形菌纲,其中9个OTU与已知最相似序列的相似性低于97%,有5个OTU与已知最相似序列的相似性低于93%,可能代表了趋磁细菌的9个新种、5个新属,说明该区域潜在的微生物新种质资源十分可观。

Magnetospira sp. QH-2 is a marine magnetotactic spirillum, isolated from the intertidal zone of the Yel-low Sea, China. The trait that its magnetosome chains display a relatively large size distribution is predicted to be related to the function of the mamK-encoded protein, namely, MamK. We find that mamK gene codes for 1086bp and MamK, which belong to the NBD_sugar-kinase_HSP70_actin superfamily, are composed of 361 amino acids and do not contain any trans-membrane domain. Based on the differences of the phylogenetic trees, we determine that the acquisition of magnetosome island and bacteria evolution are possibly two independent processes. While the morphology feature of magnetotactic spirillum both in fresh water and marine is similar, its phylogenetic status is different to some extent, which may indicate its adaptive evolutions.

A quantity of magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) were found in the intertidal zone of Tianyahaijiao, Sanya, China, where the maximum abundance can reach up to 100 ind./cm3. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) re-vealed that most of the MTB were magnetotactic cocci, containing magnetosomes, which were prismatic mineral crystals, mostly organized in chain(s) (one or two chains), while some were in cluster. High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXA) showed that the magnetosomes contained magnetite. It was estimated that the percentage of Fe found in the MTB was 0.70%~7.53% (average 2.05%). Phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that 16 sequences of MTB belonged to 9 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and were affiliated to the class Alphaproteobacteria, except that one OTU was affiliated to the classGammaproteobacteria. Eight OTUs shared < 97% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the nearest known sequences, in which 5 OTUs shared lower than 93% similarity. These results indicate that the MTB resources in Tianyahaijiao were considerable.

Multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes (MMPs) are a peculiar group of magnetotactic bacteria, each comprising approximately 10-100 cells of the same phylotype. Two morphotypes of MMP have been identified, including several species of globally distributed spherical mulberry-like MMPs (s-MMPs), and two species of ellipsoidal pineapple-like MMPs (e-MMPs) from China (Qingdao and Rongcheng cities). We recently collected e-MMPs from Mediterranean Sea sediments (Six-Fours-les-Plages) and Drummond Island, in the South China Sea. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MMPs from Six-Fours-les-Plages and the previously reported e-MMP Candidatus Magnetananas rongchenensis have 98.5% sequence identity and are the same species, while the MMPs from Drummond Island appear to be a novel species, having > 7.1% sequence divergence from the most closely related e-MMP, Candidatus Magnetananas tsingtaoensis. Identification of the novel species expands the distribution of e-MMPs to Tropical Zone. Comparison of nine physical and chemical parameters revealed that sand grain size and the content of inorganic nitrogen (nitrate, ammonium and nitrite) in the sediments from Rongcheng City and Six-Fours-les-Plages were similar, and lower than found for sediments from the other two sampling sites. The results of the study reveal broad diversity and wide distribution of e-MMPs.

Permian hydrothermal activity in the Tarim Basin may have been responsible for the invasion of hot brines into Ordovician carbonate reservoirs. Studies have been undertaken to explain the origin and geochemical characteristics of the diagenetic fluid present during this hydrothermal event although there is no consensus on it. We present a genetic model resulting from the study of C-13, O-18, S-34, and Sr-87/Sr-86 isotope values and fluid inclusions (FIs) from fracture- and vug-filling calcite, saddle dolomite, fluorite, barite, quartz, and anhydrite from Ordovician outcrops in northwest (NW) Tarim Basin and subsurface cores in Central Tarim Basin. The presence of hydrothermal fluid was confirmed by minerals with fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures being >10 degrees C higher than the paleo-formation burial temperatures both in the NW Tarim and in the Central Tarim areas. The mixing of hot (>200 degrees C), high-salinity (>24 wt% NaCl), Sr-87-rich (up to 0.7104) hydrothermal fluid with cool (60-100 degrees C), low-salinity (0 to 3.5 wt% NaCl), also Sr-87-rich (up to 0.7010) meteoric water in the Ordovician unit was supported by the salinity of fluid inclusions, and C-13, O-18, and Sr-87/Sr-86 isotopic values of the diagenetic minerals. Up-migrated hydrothermal fluids from the deeper Cambrian strata may have contributed to the hot brine with high sulfate concentrations which promoted thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) in the Ordovician, resulting in the formation of C-12-rich (C-13 as low as -13.8 parts per thousand) calcite and S-34-rich (S-34 values from 21.4 parts per thousand to 29.7 parts per thousand) H2S, pyrite, and elemental sulfur. Hydrothermal fluid mixing with fresh water in Ordovician strata in Tarim Basin was facilitated by deep-seated faults and up-reaching faults due to the pervasive Permian magmatic activity. Collectively, fluid mixing, hydrothermal dolomitization, TSR, and faulting may have locally dissolved the host carbonates and increased the reservoir porosity and permeability, which has significant implications for hydrocarbon exploration.

Two morphotypes (spherical and ellipsoidal) of multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes (MMPs) have been reported from the sediments of Lake Yuehu, China. Here, their temporal distributions and their relationships with biogeochemical parameters are studied. Samples were collected at approximately 2-week intervals from two sites (A and B) during the period September 2012 to December 2013. The abundance of MMPs was high in summer and autumn, but low in winter and spring. Furthermore, the peaks in the numbers of the two types of MMPs were sequential, with the highest concentration of the spherical MMPs occurring prior to that of the ellipsoidal MMPs. This may be related to different optimal growth temperatures for the two types. Although the two types of MMP coexisted at both sites, their numbers were different; at most times, spherical MMPs dominated at site A, whereas ellipsoidal MMPs dominated at site B. Geochemical analysis revealed that the environmental conditions at site A varied more than at site B. Compared with the widely distributed spherical MMPs, ellipsoidal MMPs seemed to prefer more stable habitats. This is the first report of the temporal distribution of ellipsoidal MMPs in sediments, suggesting that their environmental adaptations differ from those of spherical MMPs.

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a group of Gram-negative bacteria synthesizing magnetic crystals that allow them aligning along magnetic field lines. They have diverse morphologies including cocci, rods, vibrio, spirilla, and multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes (MMPs). MMPs are composed of 10-57 cells with peritrichous flagella on their outer surfaces and swim as an entire unit. Here, we describe a species of spherical MMPs isolated from intertidal sediments of Lake Yuehu (Yellow Sea, China). They were mainly found in the subsurface layer of gray-black sediments. Microscopy revealed that these spherical MMPs were 5.6 +/- 0.9 mu m in diameter and composed of approximately 16-32 ovoid cells with a helical arrangement and peritrichous flagellation. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the MMPs contained both bullet-shaped magnetite and irregular greigite magnetosomes that were arranged in chains or clusters. These MMPs displayed typical escape motility and negative phototaxis. The 16S rRNA genes of micromanipulation-purified spherical MMPs were cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MMP species was affiliated with Deltaproteobacteria and displayed >2.8% sequence divergence with respect to previously reported MMPs. This is the first phylogenetic identification of a spherical MMP that produces both magnetite and greigite magnetosomes. (C) 2014 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Two morphotypes of multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes (MMPs) have been identified: spherical (several species) and ellipsoidal (previously one species). Here, we report novel ellipsoidal MMPs that are ∼ 10 × 8 μm in size, and composed of about 86 cells arranged in six to eight interlaced circles. Each MMP was composed of cells that synthesized either bullet-shaped magnetite magnetosomes alone, or both bullet-shaped magnetite and rectangular greigite magnetosomes. They showed north-seeking magnetotaxis, ping-pong motility and negative phototaxis at a velocity up to 300 μm s(-1) . During reproduction, they divided along either their long- or short-body axes. For genetic analysis, we sorted the ellipsoidal MMPs with micromanipulation and amplified their genomes using multiple displacement amplification. We sequenced the 16S rRNA gene and found 6.9% sequence divergence from that of ellipsoidal MMPs, Candidatus Magnetananas tsingtaoensis and > 8.3% divergence from those of spherical MMPs. Therefore, the novel MMPs belong to different species and genus compared with the currently known ellipsoidal and spherical MMPs respectively. The novel MMPs display a morphological cell differentiation, implying a potential division of labour. These findings provide new insights into the diversity of MMPs in general, and contribute to our understanding of the evolution of multicellularity among prokaryotes.

Defense responses of plants are activated not only in the wounded tissues but also in the remote parts of the plants. Two different methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments were conducted, i.e., MeJA solution spraying of entire rosettes leaves and pasting leaf surface with lanolin squares containing MeJA. Glucosinolate profiles in leaves were similar using the two methods of MeJA treatment except for indole glucosinolates. The glucosinolate profiles in local and systemic leaves showed that the accumulation of glucosinolates in systemic leaves were delayed comparing with those in local treated leaves. Comparative proteomics were used to investigate the molecular processes underlying the glucosinolate changes in response to local and systemic MeJA induction. A total of 83 unique proteins were detected as differentially expressed between the local and systemic leaves. Functional analysis showed that redirection of metabolism from growth to defense was differentially regulated in local and systemic MeJA induction. The higher contents of indole glucosinolates in systemic leaves might arise from the induction of a long-distance signal produced in local leaves as well as from JA synthesized in systemic leaves.

Novel large, rod-shaped magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) were discovered in intertidal sediments of the Yellow Sea, China. They biomineralized more than 300 rectangular magnetite magnetosomes per cell. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that they are affiliated with the Alphaproteobacteria and may represent a new genus of MTB.

Magnetotactic bacteria(MTB) are Gram-negative, motile prokaryotes that can orient and migrate along the geomagnetic lines of force. MTB are ubiquitous in sediments and stratified water column and distribute predominantly in the oxic-anoxic transition zone(OATZ). To study the vertical distribution of MTB and their relationships with environmental factors, sediment cores were collected from intertidal sites in the Huiquan Bay, Qingdao. The redox potential and temperature were measured in situ, and other geochemical parameters of the sediments and count of MTB were analyzed in laboratory. Results showed that the most abundant MTB are coccoid-shaped ones which swim toward the north pole. MTB were concentrated in the reduced environments with a redox potential ranging from 179.7 mV to-107.0 mV. The maximum abundance(94~169 ind./cm3) of MTB was observed at redox cline which was located at the yellow-black layers transition with a depth of 5~9 cm, implying it's a OATZ. The MTB exhibited a similar vertical distribution manner with those of the grain size, water content and sulfate concentration in the sediment.