Analysis of cell wall degrading enzyme of a methanogenic archaeon, Methanosarcina mazei, and utilization of its functions

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The objective of this study was to elucidate conditions for expression of cell wall degrading enzyme, disaggregatase, involved in morphological changes from aggregates to single cells of a methanogenic archaeon, Methanosarcina mazei, and to obtain fundamental information to utilize functions of the enzyme for mitigation of methane emission and improvement of methane fermenting efficiency. Activity of disaggregatase in Methanosarcina mazei was expressed by reducing the proteins in solutions with appropriate concentrations of cations. Rice plants introduced with the disaggregatase gene successfully transcribed the gene. Relationships between expression of disaggregatase and morphological change from aggregates to single cells varied with two strains of Methanosarcina mazei, indicating a clue to reveal mechanism of the morphological changes in Methanosarcina mazei.