Molecular underpinnings for microbial extracellular electron transfer during biogeochemical cycling of earth elements

Abstract

Microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) is electron exchanges between the quinol/quinone pools in microbial cytoplasmic membrane and extracellular substrates. Microorganisms with EET capabilities are widespread in Earth hydrosphere, such as sediments of rivers, lakes and oceans, where they play crucial roles in biogeochemical cycling of key elements, including carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, iron and manganese. Over the past 12 years, significant progress has been made in mechanistic understanding of microbial EET at the molecular level. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the microbial ability for extracellular redox transformation of iron, direct interspecies electron transfer as well as long distance electron transfer mediated by the cable bacteria in the hydrosphere.

Keywords: Earth hydrosphere; biogeochemical cycling of elements; cable bacteria; conductive nanowires; direct interspecies electron transfer; microbial extracellular electron transfer; molecular mechanisms; multiheme c-type cytochrome.