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. 1988 Feb;170(2):834–841. doi: 10.1128/jb.170.2.834-841.1988

Characterization of the bacterial magnetosome membrane.

Y A Gorby 1, T J Beveridge 1, R P Blakemore 1
PMCID: PMC210730  PMID: 3123464

Abstract

Intact magnetosomes of Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum were purified from broken cells by a magnetic separation technique. Electron microscopic and chemical analyses revealed the magnetite to be enclosed by a lipid bilayer admixed with proteins. Lipids were recovered in fractions expected to contain (i) neutral lipids and free fatty acids, (ii) glycolipids and sulfolipids, and (iii) phospholipids (in a weight ratio of 1:4:6). Phospholipids included phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Two of the numerous proteins detected in the magnetosome membrane were not found in other cell membranes or soluble fractions.

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Selected References

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