Methanobactin: A Novel Copper-Binding Compound Produced by Methanotrophs

Abstract

Aerobic methanotrophsMethanotrophsare a novel group of microorganisms that play a critical role in the global carbon cycleCarbon cycle. Expression and activity of a key enzyme in the metabolismMetabolismin these microbesMicrobes, the methane monooxygenaseMethane monooxygenase, is controlled by the availability of copperCopper. To sequester copperCopper, some methanotrophsMethanotrophsproduce a ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified polypeptideRibosomally synthesized post-translationally modified polypeptidecalled methanobactinMethanobactin. This peptidePeptide, or chalkophoreChalkophore, has unique features, with all known forms being small (<1300 Da) with two heterocyclic ringsHeterocyclic ringswith associated thioamide groupsThioamide groupsthat bind copperCopperquite strongly. Here we provide an overview of the known diversity of methanobactinsMethanobactins, describe the geneticsGeneticsunderlying the methanobactinMethanobactinbiosynthesisBiosynthesis, the variety of functions methanobactinMethanobactinhas been observed to have, as well as various environmental, industrial and medical applications of methanobactinMethanobactin.