David Caparrós-Ruiz

A conserved vdcBCD cluster encoding a vanillate/p-hydroxybenzoate decarboxylase catalyzes the formation of phenol from p-hydroxybenzoate in the cork-associated Streptomyces graminifolii B37 strain.

Results identify the B37 vdcBCD cluster as a bifunctional aromatic acid decarboxylation module and link this reaction to the formation of phenolic intermediates relevant to yellow-stained cork and cork taint-associated chemistry, including the de novo formation of chlorophenols and chloroanisoles.