Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025
07:26
Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
Published on: January 31, 2025
423
Methanogenic archaea in the human gastrointestinal tract
Christoph Hoegenauer1, Heinz F Hammer1, Alexander Mahnert2
1Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|September 1, 2022
Summary
Methanogenic archaea in the human gut are crucial for methane production and diagnosing conditions like intestinal methanogen overgrowth. Their role in health and disease is underappreciated due to detection challenges.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Physiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- The human microbiome comprises bacteria, viruses, eukaryotes, and archaea.
- Archaea, specifically methanogens, produce methane in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Methane levels are a clinical marker for diseases such as intestinal methanogen overgrowth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the clinical relevance of methanogenic archaea in human health and disease.
- To address the underrepresentation of archaea in microbiome research.
- To discuss methane as a diagnostic marker.
Main Methods:
- Review of current knowledge on methanogenic archaea.
- Analysis of archaeal responses to antibiotics.
- Examination of archaea's physiological effects.
Main Results:
- Methanogenic archaea are largely overlooked in human microbiome studies.
- Archaea exhibit unique responses to antibiotics.
- Methane is a significant indicator in clinical breath analyses.
Conclusions:
- Methanogenic archaea play a vital role in human health and disease.
- Further research is needed to understand archaea's full impact.
- Methane breath analysis is a valuable diagnostic tool.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Diversity of Archaea I
71
Archaea, a domain of single-celled microorganisms, are classified into five major phyla based on genetic and biochemical characteristics: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, Korarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota. Among these, the phylum Euryarchaeota is notable for its remarkable diversity in morphology, metabolism, and ecological adaptations.Morphological and Metabolic DiversityMembers of Euryarchaeota exhibit a variety of cellular shapes, including rods and cocci. Their metabolic pathways...
71
01:29Overview of Archaea
102
Archaea, named after the Archaean eon, represent a unique domain of life, distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes, with remarkable traits. Their cellular and molecular features, ecological adaptability, and industrial relevance highlight their importance in understanding life processes and leveraging biotechnology.Cellular and Molecular CharacteristicsA defining feature of archaea is their unique membrane composition. Archaeal membranes contain ether-linked isoprenoid lipids, which confer...
102
01:24Diversity of Archaea II
72
Archaea, one of the three domains of life, exhibit remarkable diversity and adaptability, thriving in both extreme and moderate environments. Historically, most identified archaea have been classified into two major phyla: Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. However, recent molecular studies have expanded this classification to include three additional phyla: Thaumarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, and Korarchaeota, each exhibiting unique characteristics and ecological roles.Thaumarchaeota: Mesophiles...
72
01:29Diversity of Archaea IV
85
Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist...
85
01:27Diversity of Archaea III
63
Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like...
63
01:21Hyperthermophilic Bacteria
81
Domain Bacteria includes some unique hyperthermophilic species. They exhibit remarkable adaptations that enable survival in extreme environments.Thermotoga species are rod-shaped, gram-negative, non-sporulating hyperthermophiles that form a sheath-like envelope called a toga. They ferment sugars or starch, producing lactate, acetate, CO₂, and H₂, and can also grow via anaerobic respiration using H₂ and ferric iron. Found in hot springs and hydrothermal vents, over 20% of their...
81