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Reverse Methanogenesis and Respiration in Methanotrophic Archaea.
Peer H A Timmers1, Cornelia U Welte2, Jasper J Koehorst3
1Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, Netherlands; Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, Netherlands; Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Archaea (Vancouver, B.C.)
|February 4, 2017
Summary
Anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM) is performed by archaea using reversed methanogenesis. Key differences in enzymes and electron carriers distinguish these archaea from methanogens, impacting their versatility with electron acceptors.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biogeochemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is a crucial microbial process in methane cycling.
- This process is primarily catalyzed by anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME) through a modified methanogenesis pathway.
- Methanogens can also reverse this pathway, but typically only during net methane production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the reversibility of the methanogenesis pathway in archaea.
- To highlight essential differences between ANME and methanogens.
- To explore the diversity of electron acceptors used by different ANME types.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of published information.
- Comparative analysis of (meta)genome data from archaeal methanotrophs and other archaea.
- Examination of enzyme structures and cofactor presence.
Main Results:
- ANME utilize a reversed methanogenesis pathway for net AOM, coupled to electron acceptors like sulfate, nitrate, or metal oxides.
- Distinct molecular features, including methyl coenzyme M reductase and multiheme cytochromes, differentiate ANME from methanogens.
- ANME-2a and ANME-2d exhibit versatility in electron acceptor utilization, with ANME-2d also implicated in sulfate-dependent AOM.
Conclusions:
- The methanogenesis pathway is reversible in both ANME and methanogens, but their roles and regulation differ significantly.
- Molecular distinctions underpin the functional differences between ANME and methanogens, particularly in electron transfer and acceptor use.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of pathway reversal and electron transfer diversity across ANME groups.
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