Abstract
Structural Biology Methane concentrations are high in oxygenated surface waters. Methylphosphonate (MPn) is a suggested source, but an enzyme that synthesizes Mpn (MPnS) has so far only been identified in one ocean microbe, albeit an abundant one: the archaeon Nitrosopumilus maritimus . Born et al. describe the crystal structure of MPnS and of a related enzyme that acts on the same substrate but makes a different product. By comparing the structures, they determined sequence markers that allowed them to identify MPnS in other ocean microbes, including the abundant microbe Pelagibacter ubique . These findings support the proposal that MPn is a source of both methane and phosphorus in the upper aerobic ocean. Science , this issue p. [1336][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aao3435
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
