Phenylphosphate carboxylase (PPC) (PPC)

Phenylphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.88) is a complex bacterial enzyme that facilitates the anaerobic metabolism of phenol. It catalyzes the carboxylation of phenylphosphate to 4-hydroxybenzoate using carbon dioxide as a substrate (Schühle & Fuchs, 2004). This enzyme is typically found in specialized anaerobic bacteria, such as Thauera aromatica, and is part of a larger pathway that converts toxic aromatic compounds into metabolic intermediates like benzoyl-CoA (BRENDA, EC 4.1.1.88). The protein itself is composed of four distinct subunits (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) that operate together to ensure the regioselectivity of the carboxylation reaction (UniProt, P81478). From a clinical standpoint, phenylphosphate carboxylase is not a therapeutic target for human medicine, as it is entirely absent in humans and common pathogens. Its utility is primarily explored in environmental biotechnology for the bioremediation of phenol-contaminated anaerobic sites. Consequently, there are no approved drugs or pharmacological mechanisms associated with this enzyme in human health.

Other names

Phenylphosphate-dependent phenol carboxylasePpc complexPpcABCD4-hydroxybenzoate carboxy-lyase (phenylphosphate-forming)

No therapeutic mechanism of action, as the enzyme is not a human drug target.