Cymene and Cumate degradation is a carbon and energy source. Cymene and cumate are typically derived from various environmental sources, e.g., petroleum products and enter the cell via diffusion due to their hydrophobic nature. Once inside the cell, cymene is oxidized by p-cymene methyl-monooxygenase, which introduces a hydroxyl group to the cymene molecule, converting it to 4-isopropylbenzyl alcohol. Further oxidation converts this intermediate to cumate. Cumate is further converted to cis-2,3-Dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-p-cumate by p-cumate 2,3-dioxygenase. Subsequent enzymatic reactions convert cis-2,3-Dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-p-cumate into Oxopent-4-enoate that is further converted to intermediates such as pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. These intermediates enter the citrate cycle and glycolysis.

Cymene and Cumate degradation References