Elements · ← Ta Tantalum · Re Rhenium →
Some heat-loving microbes use tungsten in their enzymes.
| Symbol | W |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 74 |
| Standard atomic weight | 183.84 |
| Group | 6 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Standard state | Solid |
| Discovered | 1783 |
Source: PubChem, Tungsten (periodic table data, retrieved 2026-10-19). Group and period follow the standard 18-column periodic table.
Chan and colleagues solved the structure of the tungsten-containing aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase from Pyrococcus furiosus, an archaeon that grows best at 100 °C; each subunit holds an Fe4S4 cluster and a tungsten bound by two molybdopterin molecules.
As reported in: Chan, Mukund, Kletzin et al. (1995). Structure of a Hyperthermophilic Tungstopterin Enzyme, Aldehyde Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase. Science. doi:10.1126/science.7878465
Abstract only
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