title: Molybdenum cofactor: a key component of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis?
abstract: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and other members of the Mtb complex possess an expanded complement of genes for the biosynthesis of molybdenum cofactor (MoCo), a tricyclic pterin molecule that is covalently attached to molybdate. This cofactor allows the redox properties of molybdenum to be harnessed by enzymes in order to catalyze redox reactions in carbon, nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. In this article, we summarize recent advances in elucidating the MoCo biosynthetic pathway in Mtb and highlight the evidence implicating the biosynthesis of this cofactor, as well as the enzymes that depend upon it for activity, in Mtb pathogenesis.
authors: MRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, Division of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Cape Town .
authors: Monique
authors: M
authors: Williams
authors: Valerie
authors: V
authors: Mizrahi
authors: Bavesh Davandra
authors: BD
authors: Kana
mesh_terms: D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways / Q000235:genetics*; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D003067:Coenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008667:Metalloproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000090006:Molybdenum Cofactors; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011621:Pteridines; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon; D003067:Coenzymes; D004798:Enzymes; D008667:Metalloproteins; D000090006:Molybdenum Cofactors; D009584:Nitrogen; D011621:Pteridines; D013455:Sulfur; D037521:Virulence Factors; C022261:molybdopterin