Abstract:Methanogens are a group of extremely anaerobic microorganisms affiliated with the archaeal domain. They use simple compounds such as carbon dioxide, acetate and methyl compounds as substrate to grow. Hydrogenotrophic methanogens is the main type in all the cultured species. Among the three major methanogenic pathways, the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis shows the highest energy productivity and includes a special energy metabolism system. In recent years, with the development and application of mass spectrum, spectroscopy and crystallization technology, the research on the methanogenic pathway has been further studied, especially in the biochemical mechanism of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, which revealing a unique and efficient way of energy conversation under extreme environment. Based on the massive research results, this review summarizes the details of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis from the aspects of energy storage, metabolic pathways, enzyme structures and catalytic mechanism of enzymatic reactions. The prospect for the future research and technological development in the field of methanogenesis is also proposed in this review.