Indolepyruvate decarboxylase explained

The enzyme indolepyruvate decarboxylase catalyzes the chemical reaction

3-(indol-3-yl)pyruvate

2-(indol-3-yl)acetaldehyde + 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 3-(indol-3-yl)pyruvate carboxy-lyase [(2-indol-3-yl)acetaldehyde-forming]. Other names in common use include indol-3-yl-pyruvate carboxy-lyase, and 3-(indol-3-yl)pyruvate carboxy-lyase. This enzyme participates in tryptophan metabolism.

Structural studies

As of late 2007, only one structure has been solved for this class of enzymes, with the PDB accession code .

References

• Koga J . Structure and function of indolepyruvate decarboxylase, a key enzyme in indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis . Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Protein Structure and Molecular Enzymology . 1249 . 1 . 1–13 . May 1995 . 7766676 . 10.1016/0167-4838(95)00011-I .