Assessing transporter systems of methanogens to boost archaea biotechnology.

Methanogenic archaea (methanogens) are key drivers of global carbon cycling and biomethane production, thriving in diverse anaerobic environments through specialized metabolic and transport systems. While methanogenesis is well understood, transport mechanisms underlying nutrient uptake, ion homeostasis, and macromolecule translocation remain poorly understood. This review compiles current knowledge on transporter proteins and substrate uptake in methanogens. It also highlights fundamental knowledge gaps and outlines experimental procedures for identifying new transporters experimentally and bioinformatic strategies to identify transporter-encoding genes. These approaches enable the investigation of cultured and uncultured methanogens, providing a broader view of transporter diversity and global distribution. Advancing transporter research will enhance insights into archaeal physiology and supports further developing biotechnological applications of methanogens for biofuels and chemical production, and sustainable energy systems.