2009/07/21 by Ralf R. Mendel · 2 citations
Energy · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Metalloenzymes and iron-sulfur proteins #Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion #Plant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects
paper · doi:10.1002/biof.55
openalex publication_date 2009/07/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The transition element molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient that is needed as catalytically active metal during enzyme catalysis. In humans four enzymes depend on Mo: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidoreductase, aldehyde oxidase, and mitochondrial amidoxime reductase. In addition to these enzymes, plants harbor a fifth Mo-enzyme namely nitrate reductase. To gain biological activity and fulfill its function in enzymes, Mo has to be complexed by a pterin compound thus forming the molybdenum cofactor. This article will review the way that Mo takes from uptake into the cell, via formation of the molybdenum cofactor and its storage, up to the final insertion of the molybdenum cofactor into apometalloenzymes.