4-(2-carboxyphenyl)-2-oxobut-3-enoate Aldolase

In enzymology, a 4-(2-carboxyphenyl)-2-oxobut-3-enoate aldolase (EC 4.1.2.34) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

(3Z)-4-(2-carboxyphenyl)-2-oxobut-3-enoate + H₂O 2-formylbenzoate + pyruvate

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are (3Z)-4-(2-carboxyphenyl)-2-oxobut-3-enoate and H₂O, whereas its two products are 2-formylbenzoate and pyruvate.

This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the aldehyde-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is (3Z)-4-(2-carboxyphenyl)-2-oxobut-3-enoate 2-formylbenzoate-lyase (pyruvate-forming). Other names in common use include 2'-carboxybenzalpyruvate aldolase, (3E)-4-(2-carboxyphenyl)-2-oxobut-3-enoate, 2-carboxybenzaldehyde-lyase, and (3Z)-4-(2-carboxyphenyl)-2-oxobut-3-enoate 2-formylbenzoate-lyase. This enzyme participates in naphthalene and anthracene degradation.