Lanthanides (Lns) are essential cofactors in certain enzymes. Lanmodulin (LanM) is a metal binding protein found in several lanthanide-utilizing, methylotrophic bacteria like Methylorubrum sp. The protein exhibits unique metal-binding properties and binds rare-earth elements (REEs) with very high affinity, often better than many synthetic chelators. LanM-REE complexes are stable at extreme conditions like high temperature, repeated acid treatments down to pH 2.5 and up to molar amounts of competing non-REE metal ions. Therefore, lanmodulin could be used even in harsh chemical processes for selective recovery of a broad range of REE from precumbustion coal and electronic waste leachates.
