title: The molybdenum cofactor.
abstract: The transition element molybdenum needs to be complexed by a special cofactor to gain catalytic activity. Molybdenum is bound to a unique pterin, thus forming the molybdenum cofactor (Moco), which, in different variants, is the active compound at the catalytic site of all molybdenum-containing enzymes in nature, except bacterial molybdenum nitrogenase. The biosynthesis of Moco involves the complex interaction of six proteins and is a process of four steps, which also require iron, ATP, and copper. After its synthesis, Moco is distributed, involving Moco-binding proteins. A deficiency in the biosynthesis of Moco has lethal consequences for the respective organisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology, Braunschweig University of Technology, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. r.mendel@tu-bs.de
authors.forename: Ralf R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Mendel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways; D003067:Coenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D045727:Metalloexopeptidases; D008667:Metalloproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090006:Molybdenum Cofactors; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D011621:Pteridines / Q000737:chemistry; D011622:Pterins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003067:Coenzymes; D045727:Metalloexopeptidases; D008667:Metalloproteins; D008982:Molybdenum; D000090006:Molybdenum Cofactors; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D011621:Pteridines; D011622:Pterins; C549445:nulibry; C022261:molybdopterin
keywords: Iron; Metalloenzymes; Metalloproteins; Metals; Molybdenum
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