Coenzyme M derivatives and their effects on methane formation from carbon dioxide and methanol by cell extracts of Methanosarcina barkeri.

Extracts of Methanosarcina barkeri reduced methanol and CO2 to CH4 in the presence of H2 and converted methanol stoichiometrically into CH4 and CO2 in the absence of H2. In dialyzed cell-free extracts these reactions were stimulated by 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (coenzyme M) and some derivatives (acetyl and formylcoenzyme M and the oxidized form of coenzyme M), which could be converted to coenzyme M by enzyme systems present in the extracts. Methylcoenzyme M could not be used in these systems.