Adaptation of a methanogen to Fe corrosion via direct contact.

Due to unique genomic adaptations, Methanococcus maripaludis Mic1c10 is highly corrosive when in direct contact with Fe. A critical adaptation involves increased glycosylation of an extracellular [NiFe]-hydrogenase, facilitating its anchoring to cell surface proteins. Corrosive strains adapt to the constructed environment via horizontal gene transfer while retaining ancestral genes important for intraspecies competition and surface attachment. This calls for a reevaluation of how the built environment impacts methane cycling.