Reaction: ferulate + H2O = vanillin + acetate (overall reaction)
(1a) ferulate + H2O = 3-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propanoate
(1b) 3-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propanoate = vanillin + acetate
For diagram of reaction click here
Glossary: ferulate = 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamate
vanillin = 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde
Other name(s): vanillin synthase; VpVan; VAN; ferulate aldolase
Systematic name: ferulate acetate-lyase (vanillin-forming)
Comments: The enzyme is located in the chloroplasts of vanilla pods of the orchid Vanilla planifolia. It also converts ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside to vanillin 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, MetaCyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Gallage, N.J., Hansen, E.H., Kannangara, R., Olsen, C.E., Motawia, M.S., Jørgensen, K., Holme, I., Hebelstrup, K., Grisoni, M. and Møller, B.L. Vanillin formation from ferulic acid in Vanilla planifolia is catalysed by a single enzyme. Nat. Commun. 5 (2014) 4037. [PMID: 24941968]
2. Kundu, A. Vanillin biosynthetic pathways in plants. Planta 245 (2017) 1069-1078. [PMID: 28357540]
3. Gallage, N.J., Jørgensen, K., Janfelt, C., Nielsen, A.JZ., Naake, T., Dunski, E., Dalsten, L., Grisoni, M. and Møller, B.L. The intracellular localization of the vanillin biosynthetic machinery in pods of Vanilla planifolia. Plant Cell Physiol. 59 (2018) 304-318. [PMID: 29186560]