The present disclosure describes genes and proteins of the coenzyme F430 synthetic pathway. The genes and proteins in the pathway find uses as isolated nucleic acids, transformation vectors, a transformation media, genetically modified cells, methods of modulating methanogenesis, methods of modulating methane oxidation, methods of making a tetrapyrrole compound, methods of oxidizing methane, methods of biogenic methane synthesis is provided, methods of assaying an organism for potential methanogenic or methanotrophic activity, and isolated proteins.