Part:BBa_K5443010

The COMT enzyme (Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase), from Synechocystis PCC6714, functions as the third step in our vanillin biosynthesis pathway. This enzyme catalyses the methylation of caffeic acid by transferring a methyl group to the hydroxyl group of the caffeic acid molecule, converting it into ferulic acid. This methylation step is crucial for forming the characteristic methoxy group of vanillin.

This part is new to the Registry, but is homologous to earlier COMT parts contributed by earlier iGEM teams: BBa_I742107 and BBa_K1129041.

Figure 1. COMT-catalysed conversion of caffeic acid to ferulic acid.
This reaction represents the third step in our vanillin synthesis pathway. The COMT enzyme converts caffeic acid into ferulic acid. Note that this is actually a two-step reaction performed by the same enzyme; the intermediate reaction has been omitted for simplicity.