Molybdenum trafficking for nitrogen fixation.
The molybdenum nitrogenase is responsible for most biological nitrogen fixation, a prokaryotic metabolic process that determines the global biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and carbon. Here we describe the trafficking of molybdenum for nitrogen fixation in the model diazotrophic bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii. The genes and proteins involved in molybdenum uptake, homeostasis, storage, regulation, and nitrogenase cofactor biosynthesis are reviewed. Molybdenum biochemistry in A. vinelandii reveals unexpected mechanisms and a new role for iron-sulfur clusters in the sequestration and delivery of molybdenum.
Hernandez
Jose A
JA
Department of Biochemistry, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona 85308, USA.
George
Simon J
SJ
Rubio
Luis M
LM
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016948:Azotobacter vinelandii / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005740:Gases; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006706:Homeostasis; D007700:Kinetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008983:Molybdoferredoxin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009586:Nitrogen Fixation / Q000235:genetics*; D009591:Nitrogenase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000596:Amino Acids; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005740:Gases; C101050:ModE protein, bacteria; D008983:Molybdoferredoxin; C489918:NifQ protein, Azotobacter vinelandii; D011506:Proteins; D012987:Soil; D014157:Transcription Factors; C044659:molybdate; D008982:Molybdenum; D009591:Nitrogenase