A nitrogenase-like enzyme system catalyzes methionine, ethylene, and methane biogenesis

• DOI: 10.1126/science.abb6310
• Publication Date: 2020-10-16T21:45:37Z
• Authors: Justin A. North; Adrienne B. Narrowe; Weili Xiong; Kathryn M. Byerly; Guanqi Zhao; Sarah J. Young; Srividya Murali; John A. Wildenthal; William R. Cannon; Kelly C. Wrighton; Robert L. Hettich; F. Robert Tabita
• Keywords: Methanethiol; Dimethyl sulfide

Bacterial production of gaseous hydrocarbons such as ethylene and methane affects soil environments atmospheric climate. We demonstrate that biogenic from terrestrial freshwater bacteria are directly produced by a previously unknown methionine biosynthesis pathway. This pathway, present in numerous species, uses nitrogenase-like reductase is distinct known nitrogenases reductases specifically functions C-S bond breakage to reduce ubiquitous appreciable volatile organic sulfur compounds dimethyl sulfide (2-methylthio)ethanol. Liberated methanethiol serves the immediate precursor methionine, while or released into environment. Anaerobic this pathway apparently explains long-standing observation accumulation oxygen-depleted soils. Methane reveals an additional bacterial archaeal methanogenesis.