p-Cymene is one of the alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons which are found in volatile oils from over 100 plants. As an initial step, Pseudomonas putida F1 degrades p-cymene by oxidizing the benzylic methyl group to yield p-cumic alcohol (Eaton, 1997). The p-cumic alcohol can then be further catabolised to isobutyrate, pyruvate, and acetyl-CoA by Pseudomonas putida PL (Eaton, 1996). Similar methyl group oxidations are found in other methyl substituted aromatic compounds including toluene, xylenes, methylnaphthalene and p-cresol. The p-cymene pathway is widespread and predominant for the degradation of para-alkyl substituted toluenes or benzoates.
The following is a text-format p-cymene degradation pathway map. An organism which can initiate the pathway is given, but other organisms may also carry out later steps. Follow the links for more information on compounds or reactions. This map is also available in graphic (13k) format.
p-Cymene
Pseudomonas putida F1
|
| p-cymene
| hydroxylase
|
v
p-Cumic
alcohol
|
| p-cumic
| alcohol
| dehydrogenase
|
v
p-Cumic
aldehyde
|
| p-cumic aldehyde
| dehydrogenase
|
v
p-Cumate
Pseudomonas putida PL
|
| p-cumate
| 2,3-dioxygenase
|
v
cis-2,3-Dihydroxy-
2,3-dihydro-
p-cumate
|
| 2,3-dihydroxy-
| 2,3-dihydro-
| p-cumate
| dehydrogenase
|
v
2,3-Dihydroxy-
p-cumate
|
| 2,3-dihydroxy-
| p-cumate
| dioxygenase
|
v
2-Hydroxy-3-carboxy-
6-oxo-7-methylocta-
2,4-dienoate
|
| 2-hydroxy-3-carboxy-
| 6-oxo-7-methylocta-
| 2,4-dienoate
| decarboxylase
|
v
2-Hydroxy-6-oxo-7-methyl-
octa-2,4-dienoate
|
| 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-
| 7-methylocta-
| 2,4-dienoate
| hydrolase
|
v
cis-2-Hydroxy- + Isobutyrate
penta-2,4-dienoate
|
|
|
v
to the
4-Chlorobiphenyl
Pathway
Page Author(s): Seung-Hoi Koo and Dong Jun Oh
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