Cell biology of molybdenum

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 loo-enzyme namely nitrate reductase. To gain biological activity and fulfill its function in enzymes, too has to be complexed by a pterin compound thus forming the molybdenum cofactor. This article will review the way that too 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. (C) 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. Volume 35, Number 5, September/October 2009, Pages 429-434. E-mail. r.mendel@tu-bs.de