Methanotroph Molecular Biology

Image obtained from: Murrell, J.C., Gilbert, B., McDonald, I.R. Arch. Microbiol. (2000) 173, 325-332.

Very little is known about genes that produce pMMO.  An operon model is known for pMMO in which the three subunits are coded by three genes in series.  The pmoC gene codes for the gamma subunit.  The pmoA gene codes for the alpha subunit.  The pmoB gene codes for the beta subunit.  Many methanotrophic organisms contain two copies of the pMMO operon.  In organisms that contain both sMMO and pMMO, they are at least partially based on the amount of copper in the environment.  In high copper environments, pMMO is expressed.  In low copper environments, the sMMO is expressed.  Nothing is known about the regulation for pMMO in without the presence of sMMO.

Citations

Lieberman, R.L., Rosenzweig, A.C., Crit. Rev. Biochem. Mol. Biol. (2004) 39, 147-164.
Murrell, J.C., Gilbert, B., McDonald, I.R. Arch. Microbiol. (2000) 173, 325-332.