Novel reversible indole-3-carboxylate decarboxylase catalyzing nonoxidative decarboxylation

After enrichment culture with indole-3-carboxylate in static culture, a novel reversible decarboxylase, indole-3-carboxylate decarboxylase, was found in Arthrobacter nicotianae FI1612 and several molds. The enzyme reaction was examined in resting-cell reactions with A. nicotianae FI1612. The enzyme activity was induced specifically by indole-3-carboxylate, but not by indole. The indole-3-carboxylate decarboxylase of A. nicotianae FI1612 catalyzed the nonoxidative decarboxylation of indole-3-carboxylate into indole, and efficiently carboxylated indole and 2-methylindole by the reverse reaction. In the presence of 1 mM dithiothreitol, 50 mM Na2 S2O3, and 20% (v/v) glycerol, indole-3-carboxylate decarboxylase was partially purified from A. nicotianae FI1612. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of approximately 258 kDa. The enzyme did not need any cofactor for the decarboxylating and carboxylating reactions.