Novel electron transport powers archaeal methane metabolism across varied substrates and environments.

Flavin-based electron bifurcation and membrane electron transport are central to energy conservation across methanogens, including DIET in Methanosarcina acetivorans and gut-associated Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis.

• Why it matters: Methanogens drive about one billion metric tons of methane annually, yet how their redox control and electron transfer enable diverse energy modes remains incompletely integrated.
• What they did: This review synthesizes metabolic pathways and electron transport processes for fermentative, respiratory, and DIET growth, focusing on FBEB and related electron transfer components, including Hdr and the electron-bifurcating HdrA2B2C2 complex.
• The result: The compiled mechanisms clarify how methanogens conserve energy without substrate-level ATP, supporting improved understanding of methane production and informing sustainable energy and environmental management.

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