How to make a living by exhaling methane.
Methane produced in the biosphere is derived from two major pathways. Conversion of the methyl group of acetate to CH(4) in the aceticlastic pathway accounts for at least two-thirds, and reduction of CO(2) with electrons derived from H(2), formate, or CO accounts for approximately one-third. Although both pathways have terminal steps in common, they diverge considerably in the initial steps and energy conservation mechanisms. Steps and enzymes unique to the CO(2) reduction pathway are confined to methanogens and the domain Archaea. On the other hand, steps and enzymes unique to the aceticlastic pathway are widely distributed in the domain Bacteria, the understanding of which has contributed to a broader understanding of prokaryotic biology.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16801, USA. jgf3@psu.edu
James G
JG
Ferry
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001105:Archaea / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D008697:Methane; D019342:Acetic Acid