Hyperthermophilic methanogenic archaea act as high-pressure CH(4) cell factories

Bioprocesses converting carbon dioxide with molecular hydrogen to methane (CH(4)) are currently being developed to enable a transition to a renewable energy production system. In this study, we present a comprehensive physiological and biotechnological examination of 80 methanogenic archaea (methanogens) quantifying growth and CH(4) production kinetics at hyperbaric pressures up to 50 bar with regard to media, macro-, and micro-nutrient supply, specific genomic features, and cell envelope architecture. Our analysis aimed to systematically prioritize high-pressure and high-performance methanogens. We found that the hyperthermophilic methanococci Methanotorris igneus and Methanocaldococcoccus jannaschii are high-pressure CH(4) cell factories. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that high-performance methanogens are covered with an S-layer, and that they harbour the amino acid motif Tyr(α444) Gly(α445) Tyr(α446) in the alpha subunit of the methyl-coenzyme M reductase. Thus, high-pressure biological CH(4) production in pure culture could provide a purposeful route for the transition to a carbon-neutral bioenergy sector.