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Published on: December 5, 2015
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Molybdenum
Janet A Novotny1, Catherine A Peterson2
1USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, MD.
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)
|May 17, 2018
Summary
Molybdenum is an essential trace element vital for life. This review details its discovery, historical impact, and the four key human enzymes (sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and mARC) that utilize molybdenum cofactor (MoCo).
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Trace Element Metabolism
- Enzymology
Background:
- Molybdenum (Mo), discovered in 1778, is an essential trace element for all life forms.
- Initially confused with lead, its significance grew with the discovery of Mo-containing enzymes in the 1950s.
- High dietary molybdenum in cattle was linked to a debilitating condition, highlighting its biological impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery and historical context of molybdenum.
- To elucidate the roles of the four known human molybdenum-dependent enzymes.
- To describe the structure and function of the molybdenum cofactor (MoCo).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical and scientific publications on molybdenum.
- Detailed examination of the biochemical functions of human molybdenum enzymes.
- Description of the molybdenum cofactor (MoCo) structure and catalytic mechanism.
Main Results:
- Four human enzymes utilize molybdenum: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component (mARC).
- Sulfite oxidase is crucial for sulfur amino acid metabolism.
- Xanthine oxidase plays a role in purine metabolism and DNA mutation prevention.
- Aldehyde oxidase is key in liver drug metabolism, while mARC's function is still under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Molybdenum is an essential trace element with critical roles in human physiology.
- The identified human molybdenum enzymes (sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, mARC) are vital for various metabolic pathways.
- The molybdenum cofactor (MoCo) is central to the catalytic activity of these essential enzymes.
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