MSDH-C (CAS 144474-37-3)

MSDH-C, a synthetic compound designed for research applications, is known for its utility in probing the biochemical pathways of methanogenesis, a process of methane production in archaea. Specifically, this compound acts as an inhibitor of methyl-sulfide coenzyme M reductase (MSR), an enzyme crucial in the final step of methane biosynthesis in these microorganisms. By interacting with the active site of MSR, MSDH-C effectively disrupts the conversion of methylated sulfur compounds into methane, thereby providing a mechanistic insight into methane generation and its regulation. This inhibition is particularly valuable in studies aimed at understanding the ecological and environmental roles of methanogenic archaea, including their impact on global methane emissions and their response to environmental changes. Researchers utilize MSDH-C to explore how methanogenesis can be manipulated or suppressed, which has broader implications for understanding biogenic methane cycles and developing strategies for mitigating methane release in environments such as wetlands, rice paddies, and ruminant digestive systems. Through these applications, MSDH-C serves as a critical tool in microbial ecology and biochemistry, helping to explain complex biochemical pathways and their environmental interactions.