Studies on formation mechanism of nano-organelle in growing cells by live-cell time-lapse fluorescence imaging analyses.

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H03791
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Fukumori Yoshihirfo 金沢大学, その他部局等, その他 (60135655)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 磁性細菌 / オルガネラ / 原核細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The bacterial organelle "magnetosome" allows a bacterial cell to be sensing the magnetic field. In this study, we focused on the four magnetosomal proteins involved in the magnetosome vesicle formation process. We analyzed subcellular localizations of these vesicle forming proteins and identified protein partners interacting with these proteins in magnetosomes. The results suggested that the vesicle forming proteins localize in magnetosomes and interact with each other to form protein complexes. Moreover, these proteins interact with the magnetosomal proteins associated with iron uptake and redox reactions. Furthermore, we succeeded in observing the dynamic magnetosome assembly process by live-cell fluorescence imaging using the strain capable of genetically controlling magnetosome synthesis.

Free Research Field

生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、「マグネトソーム」形成に必須の蛋白質の実態に世界で初めて迫った。これまでのところ、マグネトソームをはじめとする細菌の細胞内小器官の形成メカニズムは、ほとんど明らかにされていない。細菌の細胞内小器官は、CO2固定、窒素循環、水素生産、エネルギー生産などの生命活動と地球環境にとって重要な化学反応の場であり、その形成に必須の蛋白質に関する知見は、これらの反応の効率化や、新しい機能を有した細胞内小器官の創成を目指した研究の基礎として重要である。