Membrane vesicles in class extreme acidophiles: influence on collective behaviors of ''.

Membrane vesicles (MVs) are envelope-derived extracellular sacs that perform a broad diversity of physiological functions in bacteria. While considerably studied in pathogenic microorganisms, the roles, relevance, and biotechnological potential of MVs from environmental bacteria are less well established. family bacteria are active players in the sulfur and iron biogeochemical cycles in extremely acidic environments and drivers of the leaching of mineral ores contributing to acid rock/mine drainage (ARD/AMD) and industrial bioleaching.