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Intercellular Junctions, Motility, and Magnetosome Structure in a Multicellular Magnetotactic Prokaryote
Iron Biominerals
  • Frank G. Rodgers, University of New Hampshire
  • Richard P. Blakemore, University of New Hampshire
  • Nancy A. Blakemore, University of New Hampshire
  • Richard B. Frankel, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
  • Dennis A. Bazylinski, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
  • Denise Maratea, Creative Biomolecules
  • Christine Rodgers, University of New Hampshire
Publication Date
3-1-1991
Abstract

A many-celled, magnetotactic, prokaryote obtained from brackish water possessed intercellular connections at points of contact between the outer membranes of constituent cells. These connections structurally resembled the "gap junctions" found in eukaryotes. Each aggregate organism consisted of 10 to 30 individual gram-negative cells containing material with the appearance of poly-š¯›½-hydroxybutyrate and magnetosomes of unusual arrangement, structure and composition. The aggregate, which possessed prokaryotic-type flagella arranged at the outward surfaces of each cell, showed motility indicative of coordination between individual component cells. These results suggest that this organism is a multicellular prokaryote.

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Publisher statement
The original publication is available at http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/biochemistry+&+biophysics/book/978-0-306-43718-2.
Citation Information
Frank G. Rodgers, Richard P. Blakemore, Nancy A. Blakemore, Richard B. Frankel, et al.. "Intercellular Junctions, Motility, and Magnetosome Structure in a Multicellular Magnetotactic Prokaryote" Iron Biominerals (1991) p. 231 - 238
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/rfrankel/136/