Part:BBa_K1985006

mamO

MamO is a protein that is involved in nucleation of magnetite crystals.

Sequence and Features

Assembly Compatibility:

• 10
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
• 12
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
• 21
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]
• 23
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
• 25
  INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]

  Illegal AgeI site found at 493
  
• 1000
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]

Figure 1. The mamO construct in pSB1C3

Usage and Biology

Usage: The mamO gene was used to initiate the formation of magnetite by "nucleating" the crystal particles, allowing further development. It was used in combination with the proposed electron transport complex of mamO, P and X in vivo to form magnetite. The part was used to assemble further composite parts BBa_K1985007, BBa_1985017, BBa_K1985008 and BBa_K1985009 in pSB1A3.

Biology: MamO is an integral membrane protein that with eight predicted transmembrane alpha helices. It has been described as a crystal nucleation protein, that may help initiate magnetite biomineralisation. Mutant studies show that M. gryphiswaldense cells with mutaions in the mamO gene are non-magnetitic. MamO is part of the magnetosome of the native species, Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense. Together with the additional mam genes, it promotes magnetite crystal maturation within the magnetosome.

References

Murat, D., Quinlan, A., Vali, H., and Komeili, A. (2010). Comprehensive genetic dissection of the magnetosome gene island reveals the step-wise assembly of a prokaryotic organelle. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 107, 5593–5598.

Yang, W., Li, R., Peng, T., Zhang, Y., Jiang, W., Li, Y., et al. (2010). mamO and mamE genes are essential for magnetosome crystal biomineralization in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1. Res. Microbiol. 161, 701–705.