Molybdenum enzymes mechanistic aspects

Mechanistic speculations about the molybdoenzymes must be considered to be in their infancy with the possible exception of those for xanthine oxidase. Although the detailed structural nature of the molybdenum site is unknown, there is sufficient information from biochemical and coordination chemistry studies to allow informed arguments to be drawn. Here we first discuss evidence for the nuclearity of the molybdenum site and then discuss both oxo-transfer and proton-electron transfer mechanisms for molybdenum enzymes. A final discussion considers the unique aspects of nitrogenase and the possible reasons for the use of molybdenum in enzymes. 

Hille, R., REtey, Bartlewski-Hof, U., Reichenbacher, W., and Schink, B., 1999, Mechanistic aspects of molybdenum-containing enzymes, FEMS Microbiol. Rev. 22 489n501. 

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