Methane Hydrate Crystallization on Sessile Water Droplets

Johnson, Abigail M.; Zhang, Xiaochen; Kim, Jongchan; Dai, Sheng; Glass, Jennifer B.

doi:10.3791/62686-v

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…In order to test the influence of CbpAs on methane clathrate growth, we engineered a custom pressure cell capable of generating methane clathrate from a 250-µL liquid sample droplet ( 46 ). During each experiment, the volume of methane gas consumed, which reflects the extent of clathrate growth, is obtained from measured pressure and temperature data (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effect of CbpA proteins on methane clathrate growth in a pressure cell was tested following a previously established method ( 46 ) (see Supplemental Text for details). The controls were PBS (the solution in which additives were suspended), cytochrome c (Sigma-Aldrich C2506, 13 µM), PVP (Sigma-Aldrich PVP10, 13 µM), and a cocktail of type I AFPs (A/F Protein Inc., AFP type I, 13 µM).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular basis for inhibition of methane clathrate growth by a deep subsurface bacterial protein

Huard,

Johnson,

Fan

et al. 2023

PNAS Nexus

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Methane clathrates on continental margins contain the largest stores of hydrocarbons on Earth, yet the role of biomolecules in clathrate formation and stability remains almost completely unknown. Here we report new methane clathrate-binding proteins (CbpAs) of bacterial origin discovered in metagenomes from gas clathrate-bearing ocean sediments. CbpAs show similar suppression of methane clathrate growth as the commercial gas clathrate inhibitor polyvinylpyrrolidone and inhibit clathrate growth at lower concentrations than antifreeze proteins (AFPs) previously tested. Unlike AFPs, CbpAs are selective for clathrate over ice. CbpA3 adopts a non-globular, extended structure with an exposed hydrophobic surface, and, unexpectedly, its TxxxAxxxAxx motif common to AFPs is buried and not involved in clathrate binding. Instead, simulations and mutagenesis suggest a bipartite interaction of CbpAs with methane clathrate, with the pyrrolidine ring of a highly conserved proline residue mediating binding by filling empty clathrate cages. The discovery that CbpAs exert such potent control on methane clathrate properties implies that biomolecules from native sediment bacteria may be important for clathrate stability and habitability.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%