The molecular basis for the intramolecular migration (NIH shift) of the carboxyl group during para‐hydroxybenzoate catabolism

What is it about?

The molecular mechanism for the intramolecular migration (NIH shift) of a carboxyl group has remained a mystery for forty years. We elucidate the molecular basis for this shift in the conversion of para-hydroxybenzoate to gentisate (2, 5-dihydroxybenzoate). It involves CoA thioester formation, hydroxylation concomitant with 1,2-shift of the acetyl CoA moiety and thioester hydrolysis.

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