Abstract
Methane produced in the biosphere is derived from twomajor pathways. Conversion of the methyl group of acetate to CH4 in the aceticlastic pathway accounts for at least two-thirds, and reduction of CO2 with electrons derived from H2, 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 CO2 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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 453-473 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | Annual Review of Microbiology |
| Volume | 64 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 13 2010 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Microbiology
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How to Make a Living by Exhaling Methane. / Ferry, James Gregory.
In: Annual Review of Microbiology, Vol. 64, 13.10.2010, p. 453-473.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
TY - JOUR
T1 - How to Make a Living by Exhaling Methane
AU - Ferry, James Gregory
PY - 2010/10/13
Y1 - 2010/10/13
N2 - Methane produced in the biosphere is derived from twomajor pathways. Conversion of the methyl group of acetate to CH4 in the aceticlastic pathway accounts for at least two-thirds, and reduction of CO2 with electrons derived from H2, 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 CO2 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.
AB - Methane produced in the biosphere is derived from twomajor pathways. Conversion of the methyl group of acetate to CH4 in the aceticlastic pathway accounts for at least two-thirds, and reduction of CO2 with electrons derived from H2, 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 CO2 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77957951370&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77957951370&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1146/annurev.micro.112408.134051
DO - 10.1146/annurev.micro.112408.134051
M3 - Review article
C2 - 20528692
AN - SCOPUS:77957951370
VL - 64
SP - 453
EP - 473
JO - Annual Review of Microbiology
JF - Annual Review of Microbiology
SN - 0066-4227
ER -