The evolving role of methanogenic archaea in mammalian microbiomes

James G Volmer; Harley McRae; Mark Morrison

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1268451

The evolving role of methanogenic archaea in mammalian microbiomes

Front Microbiol. 2023 Sep 1:14:1268451. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1268451. eCollection 2023.

Authors

James G Volmer¹, Harley McRae², Mark Morrison²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
² Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.

Abstract

Methanogenic archaea (methanogens) represent a diverse group of microorganisms that inhabit various environmental and host-associated microbiomes. These organisms play an essential role in global carbon cycling given their ability to produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as a by-product of their energy production. Recent advances in culture-independent and -dependent studies have highlighted an increased prevalence of methanogens in the host-associated microbiome of diverse animal species. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that methanogens, and/or the methane they produce, may play a substantial role in human health and disease. This review addresses the expanding host-range and the emerging view of host-specific adaptations in methanogen biology and ecology, and the implications for host health and disease.

Keywords: archaea; host-associated archaea; methane mitigation; methanogen; methanogenic archaea.

Publication types

Review