At a Glance
- Scientists have discovered a new methane-producing gut microbe called Methanobrevibacter intestini and a new variant of Methanobrevibacter smithii, expanding our understanding of human gut archaea.
- Archaea are genetically distinct from bacteria and contribute to gut health by producing gases like methane through metabolic processes involving hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
- M. intestini uniquely produces methane and succinic acid, while the M. smithii variant GRAZ-2 generates formic acid that may interfere with other gut microbes.
- These newly identified archaea could influence digestion, inflammation, and disease risk by altering the gut’s microbial gas metabolism.
- The findings emphasize the importance of studying the human archaeome to explore its role in health and to develop new microbiome-based therapies.
A team of microbiologists has made an exciting discovery in the human gut microbiome, uncovering a new species of methane-producing archaea. The species, named Methanobrevibacter intestini, was isolated from human fecal samples, alongside a new variant of Methanobrevibacter smithii, known as GRAZ-2. These findings, published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, contribute to our growing understanding of the complex microorganisms in our digestive system and their potential impact on health and disease.
Archaea are a group of microorganisms that, although similar in appearance to bacteria, have distinct genetic and metabolic characteristics. Unlike bacteria, archaea can survive in extreme environments, such as hot springs and salt lakes, but they also play important roles in human health, particularly in the gut. Many archaea, including methanogens, produce methane, a gas from simple substances like hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This process is crucial for maintaining healthy digestion and microbial balance in the human body.
The M. intestini species stands out for its ability to produce methane and succinic acid, a compound linked to inflammation. The second strain, M. smithii GRAZ-2, produces formic acid, a molecule that may disrupt the metabolism of other gut bacteria. Both discoveries suggest that archaea in the gut influence microbial gas metabolism, and possibly even contribute to the development of certain diseases.
These findings underscore the importance of further research into the “archaeome,” the collection of archaea living in our microbiome. Understanding how these microbes affect health could lead to new medical treatments and interventions. The discovery of M. intestini and GRAZ-2 opens up exciting possibilities for microbiome medicine and highlights the need for more studies on the role of archaea in human health.
References
- Weinberger, V., Mohammadzadeh, R., Blohs, M., Kalt, K., Mahnert, A., Moser, S., Cecovini, M., Mertelj, P., Zurabishvili, T., Arora, B., Wolf, J., Shinde, T., Madl, T., Habisch, H., Kolb, D., Pernitsch, D., Hingerl, K., Metcalf, W., & Moissl-Eichinger, C. (2025). Expanding the cultivable human archaeome: Methanobrevibacter intestini sp. nov. and strain Methanobrevibacter smithii ‘GRAZ-2’ from human faeces. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 75(4). https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.006751
- Medical University of Graz. (2025, April 17). Microbiologists discover new species of methane-producing archaea in the human gut. Phys.Org; Medical University of Graz. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-microbiologists-species-methane-archaea-human.html
