Methanofuran Explained

Methanofurans (MFRs) are a family of chemical compounds found in methanogenic archaea.^[1] These species feature a 2-aminomethylfuran linked to phenoxy group. At least three different end groups are recognized: R = tricarboxyheptanoyl (methanofuran), glutamyl-glutamyl (methanofuran b), tricarboxy-2-hydroxyheptanoyl (methanofuran c, see picture).

Formylation of MFR

Methanofuran converts to formylmethanofuran in an early stage of methanogenesis. The enzyme formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase (EC: 1.2.99.5) formylates methanofuran using, the primary C1 source in methanogenesis.^[2]

Deformylation of MFR

The enzyme formylmethanofuran:tetrahydromethanopterin formyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of the formyl group from formylmethanofuran to N5 on tetrahydromethanopterin, . This enzyme has been crystallized; it contains no prosthetic group.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Thauer RK . Biochemistry of methanogenesis: a tribute to Marjory Stephenson. 1998 Marjory Stephenson Prize Lecture . Microbiology . 144 . Pt 9 . 2377–406 . September 1998 . 9782487 . 10.1099/00221287-144-9-2377. free .
2. Vorholt JA, Thauer RK . Julia Vorholt . The active species of utilized by formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase from methanogenic Archaea . Eur. J. Biochem. . 248 . 3 . 919–24 . September 1997 . 9342247 . 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1997.00919.x. free .
3. Acharya P, Warkentin E, Ermler U, Thauer RK, Shima S . The structure of formylmethanofuran: tetrahydromethanopterin formyltransferase in complex with its coenzymes . J. Mol. Biol. . 357 . 3 . 870–9 . March 2006 . 16466742 . 10.1016/j.jmb.2006.01.015 .