Methanobacterium formicicum as a target rumen methanogen for the development of new methane mitigation interventions: A review

Abstract

Methanobacterium formicicum (Methanobacteriaceae family) is an endosymbiotic methanogenic Archaean found in the digestive tracts of ruminants and elsewhere. It has been significantly implicated in global CH 4 emission during enteric fermentation processes. In this review, we discuss current genomic and metabolic aspects of this microorganism for the purpose of the discovery of novel veterinary therapeutics. This microorganism encompasses a typical H 2 scavenging system, which facilitates a metabolic symbiosis across the H 2 producing cellulolytic bacteria and fumarate reducing bacteria. To date, five genome-scale metabolic models (iAF692, iMG746, iMB745, iVS941 and iMM518) have been developed. These metabolic reconstructions revealed the cellular and metabolic behaviors of methanogenic archaea. The characteristics of its symbiotic behavior and metabolic crosstalk with competitive rumen anaerobes support understanding of the physiological function and metabolic fate of shared metabolites in the rumen ecosystem. Thus, systems biological characterization of this microorganism may provide a new insight to realize its metabolic significance for the development of a healthy microbiota in ruminants. An in-depth knowledge of this microorganism may allow us to ensure a long term sustainability of ruminant-based agriculture.

A comprehensive analysis of the global human gut archaeome from a thousand genome catalogue

“…The presence of Methanobacterium species in the human GIT have been confirmed in our studies, as one Methanobacterium MAG (GUT_GENOME283701) was obtained from a European male (age 65; colorectal cancer), with a genome size of 1.9 Mbp (98.13% completeness; 0% contamination). Based on ANI values, the closest described relative was Methanobacterium formicicum DSM3637 (87.75%), a well-known, formate consuming methanogen in ruminants ( Chellapandi et al 2018 ). Formate consuming capacity was as well found for the Methanobacterium MAG identified in our study.…”

Ruminal Methanogenic Responses to the Thiamine Supplementation in High-Concentrate Diets

“…Methanogens generally produce CH 4 through the H 2 /CO 2 reduction pathway, whereas some special methanogens such as Methanosarcinales utilize methyl-containing compounds (i.e., methanol and methylamine) for methanogenesis [5]. Although researchers have elucidated the processes of CH 4 production in rumen [6,7], the complicated bioactivities of methanogens make it difficult to find effective strategies in restricting methanogenesis.…”

“…Most methanogens are assigned into three groups at the genus level, which are Methanobrevibacter, Methanomicrobium and a large group of uncultured ruminal archaea named as rumen cluster C (RCC) [12]. Currently, seven complete genomes have been sequenced for different species of Methanobacterium and Methanobrevibacter in bovine rumen [6], however, little information is available for the non-cultured methanogens [13]. Moreover, genes that regulate methanogenesis have not been clearly identified.…”

Comparative analysis of differential proteome-wide protein-protein interaction network of Methanobrevibacter ruminantium M1

“…Conversely, there is no substantial strategy invented yet. Currently available anti-methanogenic compounds have been exhibiting the sign of toxic effects to beneficial rumen microbiota [[6], [7], [8], [9], [10]].…”

“…Nonetheless, its entire proteome function is still not known owing to 73% of coding-genes was annotated as hypothetical proteins and also complexity in metabolic and protein networks. Metabolic interactions between gut-microbe; microbe-microbe are imperative concerns to understand microbial mutualism in the rumen environment [10].…”