Biomaterial Database

p-Cresol formation by cell-free extracts of Clostridium difficile. 1985

L D'Ari, and H A Barker

Cell-free extracts of Clostridium difficile were shown to form p-cresol by decarboxylation of p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. This activity required both high and low molecular weight fractions. The active component of the low molecular weight fraction had properties of an amino acid and could be replaced by serine, threonine or the corresponding alpha keto acids. Pyruvate was shown to function catalytically. Since the high molecular weight fraction was O2-sensitive and since dithionite was as effective as pyruvate with some high molecular weight fractions, the alpha keto acids probably serve as low potential reducing agents in this system. Because of instability, the p-cresol-forming enzyme could not be purified.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007656	Ketoglutaric Acids	A family of compounds containing an oxo group with the general structure of 1,5-pentanedioic acid. (From Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, 1982, p442)	Oxoglutarates,2-Ketoglutarate,2-Ketoglutaric Acid,2-Oxoglutarate,2-Oxoglutaric Acid,Calcium Ketoglutarate,Calcium alpha-Ketoglutarate,Ketoglutaric Acid,Oxogluric Acid,alpha-Ketoglutarate,alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid,alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid, Calcium Salt (2:1),alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid, Diammonium Salt,alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid, Dipotassium Salt,alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid, Disodium Salt,alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid, Monopotassium Salt,alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid, Monosodium Salt,alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid, Potassium Salt,alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid, Sodium Salt,alpha-Oxoglutarate,2 Ketoglutarate,2 Ketoglutaric Acid,2 Oxoglutarate,2 Oxoglutaric Acid,Calcium alpha Ketoglutarate,alpha Ketoglutarate,alpha Ketoglutaric Acid,alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, Diammonium Salt,alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, Dipotassium Salt,alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, Disodium Salt,alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, Monopotassium Salt,alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, Monosodium Salt,alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, Potassium Salt,alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, Sodium Salt,alpha Oxoglutarate,alpha-Ketoglutarate, Calcium
D010648	Phenylacetates	Derivatives of phenylacetic acid. Included under this heading are a variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain the benzeneacetic acid structure. Note that this class of compounds should not be confused with derivatives of phenyl acetate, which contain the PHENOL ester of ACETIC ACID.	Benzeneacetates,Benzeneacetic Acids,Phenylacetic Acids,Acids, Benzeneacetic,Acids, Phenylacetic
D011773	Pyruvates	Derivatives of PYRUVIC ACID, including its salts and esters.
D002087	Butyrates	Derivatives of BUTYRIC ACID. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain the carboxypropane structure.	Butyrate,n-Butyrate,Butanoic Acids,Butyric Acids,Acids, Butanoic,Acids, Butyric,n Butyrate
D003013	Clostridium	A genus of motile or nonmotile gram-positive bacteria of the family Clostridiaceae. Many species have been identified with some being pathogenic. They occur in water, soil, and in the intestinal tract of humans and lower animals.
D003408	Cresols	Any of three isomeric crystalline aromatic methylphenols, also known as hydroxytoluenes.
D003653	Decarboxylation	The removal of a carboxyl group, usually in the form of carbon dioxide, from a chemical compound.	Decarboxylations
D004227	Dithionite	Dithionite. The dithionous acid ion and its salts.	Hyposulfite,Sodium Dithionite,Dithionite, Sodium
D012694	Serine	A non-essential amino acid occurring in natural form as the L-isomer. It is synthesized from GLYCINE or THREONINE. It is involved in the biosynthesis of PURINES; PYRIMIDINES; and other amino acids.	L-Serine,L Serine
D013912	Threonine	An essential amino acid occurring naturally in the L-form, which is the active form. It is found in eggs, milk, gelatin, and other proteins.	L-Threonine,L Threonine