2. Biosynthesis of magnetosomes

2.1 Magnetosomes

Magnetosomes consist of an organic membrane and an inorganic mineral phase. The inorganic phase consists of an iron oxide and/or iron sulfide crystal a few tens of nanometers in size. In several MTB species, it has been shown that magnetite-producing cells continue to synthesize iron oxide crystals rather than iron sulfide when hydrogen sulfide is present in the growth medium, suggesting that the chemical composition of the crystal is under the control of the cell