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Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...
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Updated: May 22, 2026

Methanol Independent Expression by Pichia Pastoris Employing De-repression Technologies
05:30

Methanol Independent Expression by Pichia Pastoris Employing De-repression Technologies

Published on: January 23, 2019

Methanol may function as a cross-kingdom signal.

Yuri L Dorokhov1, Tatiana V Komarova, Igor V Petrunia

  • 1A. N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia. dorokhov@genebee.msu.su

Plos One
|May 8, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Methanol, a plant signaling molecule, is also found in humans and influences gene expression in both plants and animals. This study identifies human methanol-responsive genes and suggests a role for plant-derived methanol in human health.

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Area of Science:

  • Plant biology
  • Human physiology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Leaf wounding releases methanol, acting as a plant signaling molecule.
  • Methanol, previously considered toxic, is a natural human compound with unknown functions.
  • The role of methanol in human gene regulation and inter-species signaling is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Identify human methanol-responsive genes (MRGs).
  • Investigate the impact of plant-derived methanol on human and animal gene expression.
  • Explore the potential role of methanol in plant-animal signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Suppression subtractive hybridization in ADH-deficient HeLa cells exposed to methanol.
  • Correlation analysis of plasma methanol levels and leukocyte MRG mRNA in humans post-salad consumption.
  • Analysis of brain MRG mRNA in mice exposed to methanol generated in the gut.
  • Locomotor behavior assays in mice exposed to plant volatiles.

Main Results:

  • Identified human methanol-responsive genes (MRGs).
  • Observed correlations between methanol levels and MRG mRNA in humans and mice.
  • Mice showed a preference for methanol odor and altered brain MRG mRNA levels.
  • Methanol generated in the mouse gut affected brain gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • Methanol plays a role in both plant and human gene regulation.
  • Plant-derived methanol may act as a signaling molecule between plants and animals.
  • Physiological methanol in humans may be involved in gene regulation, potentially linked to dietary plant intake.