Mechanism of Benzylsuccinate Synthase:Stereochemistry of Toluene Addition to Fumarate and Maleate

摘要

Benzylsuccinate synthase (BSS) catalyzes a remarkable chemical reaction:the addition of toluene across the double bond of fumarate to produce (R)-benzylsuccinate (Scheme 1).This reaction is the first step in the anaerobic metabolism of toluene by various denitrifying and sulfate-reducing bacteria such as Thauera aromatica and Desulfobacula toluolica,which are able to live on toluene as their sole source of carbon and energy.The degradation of aromatic compounds,both natural and man-made,is of great importance in the environment.