Mad28, a conserved actin-like protein in deep-branching magnetotactic bacteria, exhibits cell curvature-dependent localization.

ABSTRACT: Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) synthesize magnetic bacterial organelles called magnetosomes, which enable them to navigate along the geomagnetic field in aquatic environments. The actin-like cytoskeletal protein MamK forms filaments that associate with magnetosomes and mediate their positioning. Interestingly, in seven phyla, including Desulfobacterota, MTB encodes a second actin-like protein, Mad28, alongside MamK, within the magnetosome island-a genetic region responsible for magnetosome synthesis. In this study, we characterized the structure and function of this alternative magnetosome-associated cytoskeletal protein, Mad28. Magnetosome-specific localization of Mad28 in Solidesulfovibrio magneticus RS-1 was confirmed using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, and

SUBMITTER: Shimoshige R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12713370 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature