Mechanism of salicylate hydroxylase-catalyzed decarboxylation

Salicylate hydroxylase (salicylate, NADH: oxygen oxidoreductase (1-hydroxylating, decarboxylating), EC 1.14.13.1) in Pseudomonas putida catalyzed hydroxylation of the substrate analogue, salicylaldehyde, to form catechol and formate with stoichiometric consumption of NADH and O2. Consequently, a study of primary product derived from the carboxyl group of the authentic substrate, salicylate, was undertaken. The experimental results revealed that CO2 not H2CO3, was produced first.