Molybdenum metabolism is highly conserved. From genes and conserved protein structures to an FDA-approved patient therapy

The transition element molybdenum (Mo) is a micronutrient for many microorganisms and it is essential for plants and animals where it forms part of the active center of enzymes. In order to gain biological activity in the cell, Mo has to be complexed by a pterin scaffold to form the fragile molybdenum cofactor (Moco). Mo-enzymes and Moco are found in all kingdoms of life. I will summarize my 50 years of Mo research before I come to my emeritus project, the surprising dependence of the nematode C. elegans on its bacterial (Moco-containing) food.