The molybdenum oxotransferases and related enzymes

A perspective is provided of recent advances in our understanding of molybdenum-containing enzymes other than nitrogenase, a large and diverse group of enzymes that usually (but not always) catalyze oxygen atom transfer to or from a substrate, utilizing a Mo&z.dbd;O group as donor or acceptor. An emphasis is placed on the diversity of protein structure and reaction catalyzed by each of the three major families of these enzymes. This Perspective provides an overview of recent advances in our understanding of members of each of the three families of molybdenum containing enzymes.