EVIDENCE FOR MECHANOSENSITIVE TRANSMEMBRANE ION CHANNELS OF SMALL CONDUCTANCE IN MAGNETOTACTIC BACTERIA

Abstract

To determine whether or not mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels are present in the magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum, techniques for spheroplast preparation in Escherichia coli were adapted for this bacterium. This resulted in the formation of 2–3-μm spheroplasts, which were used for patch clamp analysis. Ion channel activity in M. magnetotacticum was compared with that of the MS of small conductance (MscS) in E. coli. This comparison reveals the presence of MscS-like channels in M. magnetotacticum and, as this bacterium produces intracellular magnetite (Fe₃O₄) particles similar to those found in the human brain, provides a model for investigation of the effects of magnetic fields on MS ion channels in magnetite-bearing cells.