The History of the Molybdenum Cofactor-A Personal View

The transition element molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient for plants, animals, and microorganisms, where it forms part of the active center of Mo enzymes. To gain biological activity in the cell, Mo has to be complexed by a pterin scaffold to form the molybdenum cofactor (Moco). Mo enzymes and Moco are found in all kingdoms of life, where they perform vital transformations in the metabolism of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon compounds. In this review, I recall the history of Moco in a personal view, starting with the genetics of Moco in the 1960s and 1970s, followed by Moco biochemistry and the description of its chemical structure in the 1980s. When I review the elucidation of Moco biosynthesis in the 1990s and the early 2000s, I do it mainly for eukaryotes, as I worked with plants, human cells, and filamentous fungi. Finally, I briefly touch upon human Moco deficiency and whether there is life without Moco.

Automated summary

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient for plants, animals, and microorganisms, and it plays a crucial role in the biological activity of Mo enzymes through the formation of molybdenum cofactor (Moco). Mo enzymes and Moco are involved in vital transformations in the metabolism of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon compounds. This review provides a personal perspective on the history, genetics, biochemistry, chemical structure, and biosynthesis of Moco. It also discusses human Moco deficiency and the possibility of life without Moco.