This paper is a short communication on the McrD structure from the human gut methanogen Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis. An McrD structure has recently been published. Our structure is very similar.
Although it is indicated to help assemble MCR by facilitating the insertion of cofactor F430 into MCR it is not essential for methanogens and when it has been deleted only a minor growth reduction was observed. It does not represent a good target for developing inhibitors. Many other enzymes would be better. The structure was solved by Andrew Sutherland Smith at Massey University, our 'silent partner' in structure analyses. The work was conducted 2077-2020 prior to the NZAGRC being directly involved in funding (i.e., by the PGGRC).