Molybdenum Cofactors and Their role in the Evolution of Metabolic Pathways

2015
ISBN: 978-94-017-9971-3
Verlag: Springer Netherlands

Buch, Englisch, 75 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 1569 g

Reihe: SpringerBriefs in Biometals

In this brief, the authors explore and review the current knowledge regarding the role of molybdenum in the evolution of biological systems and their interaction with biogeochemical cycles. Special emphasis is placed on biological nitrogen fixation and the nitrogen element cycle.

The origin and evolution of molybdenum cofactor biosynthetic pathways as well as the evolutionary significance of molybdenum containing enzymes appearance is analyzed.

Original data regarding nitrogen fixation pathways and related enzymes molecular evolution processes is presented.

The trace element molybdenum is essential for nearly all organisms and forms the catalytic center of a large variety of enzymes such as nitrogenase, nitrate reductases, sulphite oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductases.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Presta, Luana

Fani, Renato

Fondi, Marco

Emiliani, Giovanni

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Evolutionsbiologie
• Naturwissenschaften Chemie Organische Chemie Biochemie
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biochemie (nichtmedizinisch)

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction.- Molybdenum availability in the ecosystems (Geochemistry aspects, when and how did it appear?).- Molybdenum and biological systems.- Molybdenum-cofactor containing enzymes and pathways.- Nitrogen fixation, a molybdenum-requiring process.- Protocols and Methods for the in silico Reconstruction of the Origin and Evolution of Metabolic Pathways.