Cleavage of molybdopterin synthase MoaD-MoaE linear fusion by JAMM/MPN domain containing metalloprotease DR0402 from Deinococcus radiodurans.

Molybdenum cofactor (Moco), molybdopterin (MPT) complexed with molybdenum, is an essential cofactor required for the catalytic center of diverse enzymes in all domains of life. Since Moco cannot be taken up as a nutrient unlike many other cofactors, Moco requires de novo biosynthesis. During the synthesis of MPT, the sulfur atom on the C-terminus of MoaD is transferred to cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate (cPMP) which is bound in the substrate pocket of MoaE.