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Methyl-Based Methanogenesis: an Ecological and Genomic Review
Clifton P Bueno de Mesquita1, Dongying Wu1, Susannah G Tringe1,2
1Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA.
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR
|January 24, 2023
Summary
Methyl-based methanogenesis, crucial for methane production, involves methyl dismutation and methyl-reducing pathways. This study reviews its role, methods, and genetic diversity across environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Methyl-based methanogenesis is a key archaeal anaerobic process.
- It includes methyl dismutation and methyl-reducing pathways.
- It's a significant methane source in various ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of methyl-based methanogenesis research.
- To detail conditions favoring its dominance, experimental methods, and biochemical pathways.
- To survey genes and organisms involved, identifying knowledge gaps.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of methyl-based methanogenesis.
- Analysis of experimental methods for pathway differentiation.
- Genomic and metagenomic surveys of associated genes and organisms.
Main Results:
- Methyl-based methanogenesis is dominant under specific environmental conditions.
- Diverse methyl-based methanogens exist across multiple taxonomic levels.
- Genes for this process are widespread in various environments.
Conclusions:
- Methyl-based methanogenesis is a vital and diverse microbial process.
- Further research is needed to fill current knowledge gaps.
- Understanding its distribution is key to methane cycle research.
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