Work

MatE transporter affects methane metabolism in Methermicoccus shengliensis and is modulated by methoxylated aromatic compounds

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Methoxylated aromatic compounds, are abundant in subsurface ecosystems. Recently, it was discovered that Methermicoccus shengliensis can convert methoxylated aromatics to methane. Specifically, the MATE family transporters (MatE) and transduction-like protein (Tlp) were hypothesized to play a crucial role in substrate transport. However, their biological function and the transporting model remained unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we employed bacterial two-hybrid and structural model assays to investigate the interaction between Tlp and MatE. Our results revealed that Tlp senses 2-methoxybenzoate and interacts with MatE to facilitate substrate transport. Furthermore, we observed that the matE knock-out mutant significantly impaired the growth and methane production of M. shengliensis when using 2-methoxybenzoate as a substrate, highlighting the essential role of MatE in methoxydotrophic methanogenesis. Overall, our findings suggest that the MatE-Tlp system regulates substrate uptake and methane metabolism in M. shengliensis, providing new avenues for reducing global methane emissions caused by methanogens.

Source: Communications Biology

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-07583-1