Article
Microbiology
Hidehiro Ito, Kosei Yoshimori, Masahito Ishikawa, Katsutoshi Hori, Toshiaki Kamachi
Summary: In this study, a methanol production system was established using methanotroph mutants to control the expression of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH), allowing for methanol accumulation. By modulating the metal ion composition, the conditions for cell growth inhibition and methanol accumulation were repeatedly alternated, showcasing the potential for efficient conversion of methane to methanol.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Paula Roszczenko-Jasinska, Tomasz Krucon, Robert Stasiuk, Renata Matlakowska
Summary: This study identified the presence of XoxF methanol dehydrogenases in a bacterial community dominated by Proteobacteria inhabiting shale rock, with the enzyme being produced by bacterial orders such as Rhizobiales, Rhodobacterales, Rhodospiralles, Burkholderiales, and Nitrosomonadales. The discovery of XoxF proteins in the metaproteome of lithobiontic bacterial communities colonizing underground rocks rich in light lanthanides expands our understanding of the ecology and diversity of these enzymes in natural environments.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka Daszczynska, Tomasz Krucon, Robert Stasiuk, Marta Koblowska, Renata Matlakowska
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence and diversity of proteobacterial XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) in a microbial community inhabiting a fossil organic matter- and sedimentary lanthanide-rich underground mine environment. The results showed that XoxF-type MDHs were produced by different bacteria from Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria, with Nitrosomonadales and Rhizobiales having the highest presence of XoxF-encoding genes and matching protein sequences. The study also confirmed the accumulation of light lanthanides and the presence of methanol in the microbial mat. This research expands our understanding of XoxF-producing bacteria and the distribution and diversity of these enzymes in natural environments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christopher W. Koo, Jasmine M. Hershewe, Michael C. Jewett, Amy C. Rosenzweig
Summary: The study developed a cell-free protein synthesis system based on Escherichia coli lysate, which can be used to express particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) in vitro in the presence of nanodiscs. The findings demonstrate that the pMMO complex can form without the need for exogenous translocon machinery or chaperones.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ye Rim Park, Dong Ho Kim, Kyu Hwan Choi, Yong Woo Kim, Eun Yeol Lee, Bum Jun Park
Summary: An efficient phase-transfer catalysis system for converting methane to methanol using methanotrophs is reported in this study. The system increases methanol productivity and lowers production costs. The use of a cellulose-membrane reactor system allows for multiple biocatalytic reactions without significant decrease in productivity.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Saif Khan, Gourav Jain, Alka Srivastava, Praveen C. Verma, Veena Pande, Rama S. Dubey, Mahvish Khan, Shafiul Haque, Saheem Ahmad
Summary: The need for alternative and environment-friendly fuels has led to the exploration of methanol as a renewable fuel. Methanol can be synthesized from waste biomass using different routes, such as through the involvement of methanotrophs or the enzyme PME. This review discusses the methodologies for utilizing biogas from waste biomass as a feedstock for methanol production and identifies areas for future research to overcome limitations.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Kangli Guo, Anna Hakobyan, Timo Glatter, Nicole Paczia, Werner Liesack
Summary: High NH4+ load inhibits bacterial methane oxidation by competing with CH4 for the active site of pMMO. Methylocystis sp. strain SC2 shows cellular acclimatization response to high NH4+ levels involving stress-responsive proteins, synthesis of compatible solutes, and induction of glutathione metabolism pathway. Increased NH4+ load leads to increased pMMO-based oxidation of NH3 to toxic hydroxylamine, resulting in accumulation of NO2- and N2O.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gwendolyn J. Gregory, R. Kyle Bennett, Eleftherios T. Papoutsakis
Summary: The abundant natural gas reserves and increased biogas production have led to a growing interest in using methane as an industrial feedstock. Methane can be used directly for fermentation or converted to methanol via biological or chemical means. Synthetic methylotrophs, or non-methylotrophic platform microorganisms like E. coli, have been engineered to overcome the limitations of native methylotrophs for industrial applications. This review discusses recent progress in synthetic methylotrophy and the strategies for realizing the industrial potential of synthetic methylotrophs and methanotrophs.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yulu Wang, Chun-Yu Lai, Mengxiong Wu, Xuanyu Lu, Shihu Hu, Zhiguo Yuan, Jianhua Guo
Summary: This study showed that increasing copper concentration significantly enhanced the perchlorate reduction rate in a methane-based membrane biofilm reactor, as well as promoted methane oxidation and perchlorate reduction rates through adjusting the abundance of functional genes. A higher copper concentration also increased microbial community diversity and facilitated the synergistic association between methanotrophs and perchlorate reducers.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Peng, Xiaoyang Qu, Sason Shaik, Binju Wang
Summary: This study deciphers the catalytic cycle of pMMO in the presence of the physiological reductant duroquinol (DQH(2)), revealing that O-2 activation is initiated by the Cu-C(ii)-DQH(-) species. The research also uncovers the important roles of the phenol co-substrate for O-2 activation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hisako Hirayama, Yoshihiro Takaki, Mariko Abe, Hiroyuki Imachi, Tetsuro Ikuta, Junichi Miyazaki, Eiji Tasumi, Katsuyuki Uematsu, Akihiro Tame, Miwako Tsuda, Keiko Tanaka, Yohei Matsui, Hiromi Kayama Watanabe, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Ken Takai
Summary: This study reveals the existence of free-living Methyloprofundus variants in the Iheya North deep-sea hydrothermal field and describes their advantageous traits and metabolic characteristics. The research provides new insights into the ecological strategies of this marine-specific methanotrophic clade.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wataru Shiina, Hidehiro Ito, Toshiaki Kamachi
Summary: In this study, a lanthanide transporter was identified in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, and a potential interaction between intracellular lanthanide and glycerol was indicated. Understanding the genetic and environmental factors affecting lanthanide uptake should not only help improve the use of lanthanides for the bioconversion of methane into valuable products like methanol but also be of value for developing biomining to extract lanthanides under neutral conditions.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wafa Ali Eltayb, Mohnad Abdalla, Amr Ahmed EL-Arabey, Ahmed Boufissiou, Mohammad Azam, Saud I. Al-Resayes, Mahboob Alam
Summary: Researchers used bioinformatics tools and molecular docking studies to analyze the structure of pMMO and its interactions with quinone, duroquinone, and P450 enzymes. They discovered that pMMO can produce methanol without Cu in the presence of quinone and duroquinone, and that pmoB1 interacts with P450. This study highlights the importance of studying the membrane of pMMO for understanding its functions.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yunha Hwang, Jeong-Geol Na, Seung Jae Lee
Summary: This study provides biochemical evidence of transcriptional regulation of soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) in methanotrophs that control methane levels in ecological systems. The purified enhancer-binding protein (MmoR) and transcription factor (s54) were used to elucidate the mechanism of transcription regulation in sMMO. Characterization studies identified the promoter binding sites and enhancer-binding sequences essential for sMMO expression. The findings demonstrate that MmoR functions as a trigger for sMMO expression due to its high specificity and selectivity for enhancer-binding sequences. The binding events of both MmoR and s54 are influenced by copper ion concentration.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zhanfeng Wang, Wenhan Fang, Wei Peng, Peng Wu, Binju Wang
Summary: Activation of dioxygen allows metalloenzymes to mediate various oxidative transformations crucial for biosynthesis and metabolism processes. Recent computational insights into oxygen activation by copper-dependent enzymes are essential for understanding their structure-function relationships and engineering these metalloenzymes for novel functions.
TOPICS IN CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soo Y. Ro, Matthew O. Ross, Yue Wen Deng, Sharon Batelu, Thomas J. Lawton, Joseph D. Hurley, Timothy L. Stemmler, Brian M. Hoffman, Amy C. Rosenzweig
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2018)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Junling Wang, Yanru Qiao, Christina A. Spivey, Christine Li, Caroline Clark, Yuewen Deng, Flora Liu, Jeffrey Tillman, Marie Chisholm-Burns
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2016)