Archaea catalyze iron-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane

Significance Carbon and nitrogen cycles have been altered dramatically by human activities. Methane-producing (methanogenic) and methane-consuming (methanotrophic) microorganisms control the emission of methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, to the atmosphere. Earlier studies identified methanotrophic microorganisms that use methane as an electron donor and oxygen, sulfate, nitrite, and nitrate as electron acceptors. Previous research showed that methanotrophy coupled to the reduction of oxidized metals could be important in the environment. In the current paper, we identified archaea of the order Methanosarcinales , related to “ Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens,” which couple the reduction…

• CA
  Chinese Academy of Sciences

  Award: 09PhD02
• NO
  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

  Awards: 863.13.007, 863.11.003
• ER
  European Research Council

  Awards: 339880, 640422