6-methylsalicylate Decarboxylase

In enzymology, a 6-methylsalicylate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.52) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

6-methylsalicylate 3-cresol + CO₂

Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, 6-methylsalicylate, and two products, 3-cresol and CO₂.

This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the carboxy-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 6-methylsalicylate carboxy-lyase (3-cresol-forming). Other names in common use include 6-methylsalicylic acid (2,6-cresotic acid) decarboxylase, 6-MSA decarboxylase, and 6-methylsalicylate carboxy-lyase.