Bacteria May Protect Planet Earth by Sucking Up Excess Methane

Imagine bacteria that can suck up methane. Scientists have taken a closer look at methanotrophs in hopes of developing an array of biotechnological applications that exploit methane and protect our environment from this gas.

Methane availability is rising as the extraction of natural gas booms and more methane is escaping into the atmosphere. Methanotrophs are the primary biological mechanism for mitigating the release of methane by consuming it for carbon and energy. These organisms, though, go beyond simple regulation. They have huge potential in the biotechnological utilization of methane, a readily renewable carbon source, for the production of bulk and fine chemicals and sustainable energy.

Methanotrophs use an enzyme called methane monooxygenase whose essential cofactor is copper, though some can also use iron. Understanding how methanotrophs handle copper is therefore of great importance for all potential applications of these organisms.

In this latest study, the researchers discovered the characterization of Csp1 from a methanotroph that can bind large quantities of copper and propose this is a protein that accumulates copper for methane oxidation.

"As copper is so important for the oxidation of methane, all potential applications based on this reactivity requires known how methanotrophs acquire and store copper," said Chris Dennison, one of the researchers, in a news release. "The discovery of the Csps adds a new dimension to our understanding of this complex process."

The researchers further looked at this process and were able to understand how copper binding by Csp1 works at a molecular level. This included determination of Csp1 crystal structures using the facilities at Diamond Light Source.

The findings reveal a bit more about methanotrophs. If they're going to be used in the future, it's crucial to better understand the processes that occur when they use methane.

The findings are published in the journal Nature.

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