Rock-making bacteria: manganese oxidation and biomineralization in pseudomonads.

Pseudomonas bacteria enzymatically oxidize manganese from Mn(II) to Mn(III/IV), forming extracellular Mn oxides with potential ecological roles.

• Why it matters: Understanding Mn oxidation in pseudomonads fills a knowledge gap about microbial mineralization processes and their environmental impact, which remains poorly understood.
• What they did: The review synthesizes genetic, biochemical, and physiological data, primarily from Pseudomonas putida GB-1, and explores Mn oxidation mechanisms across the genus through phylogenetic analysis.
• The result: Findings highlight key knowledge gaps about the mechanisms and functions of Mn oxidation, paving the way for future research into its ecological significance and potential applications.