Perspective: Roles of rare earth elements in Bacteria

Abstract

Rare earth elements (REEs), particularly those within the lanthanide series, have become known to be crucial for microbial methane and methanol oxidation, a key process in the global carbon cycle. This article explores the multifaceted role of REEs, focusing on lanthanide-dependent enzymes, the mechanisms of bacterial uptake of lanthanides, and emerging research areas in respect to the role of lanthanides in bacterial physiology. Despite their name, REEs are relatively abundant in the Earth's crust, and their biological significance is increasingly coming to light, marking a new frontier at the intersection of microbiology and biochemistry.