产甲烷菌研究进展

Progress in Genome and Methanogenesis of Methanogens

产甲烷菌是重要的环境微生物,在自然界的碳素循环中起重要作用。迄今已有5种产甲烷菌基因组测序完成。基因组信息使人们对产甲烷茵的细胞结构、进化、代谢及环境适应性有了更深的理解。目前已知的甲烷生物合成途径有3种,它们以乙酸、甲基化合物、氢/二氧化碳为起始,通过不同的反应途径都形成了甲基辅酶M,在甲基辅酶M还原酶的催化下最终形成甲烷。

Methanogens is an important class of environmental microorganism. It plays a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle. Now, five complete genomes of methanogens have been sequenced. From the genome information, we got a comprehensive view about cell structure, evolution, metabolism and adaptability. There are three pathways for methanogenesis. They start from acetic acid,C-1 compound and H2/CO2 respectively, and all three pathways converge on the reduction of methyl CoM to methane (CH4).