Benzoyl Coenzyme A, Lithium salt
CAS No.: 102185-37-5
Synonym(s): Benzoyl Coenzyme A, Benzoyl-CoA lithium salt
Benzoyl coenzyme A (benzoyl-CoA) is a central aromatic thioester intermediate in plants and microorganisms. In plants, it is synthesized from phenylalanine via peroxisomal β-oxidation and serves as the starter unit for salicylic acid biosynthesis, a key hormone in plant immunity. This pathway proceeds via benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicylate intermediates.¹ In bacteria, benzoyl-CoA is formed from benzoate by benzoate-CoA ligase (BCL) and acts as a “universal biomarker” for anaerobic degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons.² Under aerobic conditions, it is processed by benzoyl-CoA epoxidase (BoxB) to form (2S,3R)-epoxy-benzoyl-CoA, while under oxygen-limited conditions it undergoes reductive dearomatization.³
Applications
Benzoyl-CoA is used as a biomarker in plant biology and environmental microbiology. In plants, its role in salicylic acid biosynthesis accounts for most pathogen-induced and basal SA production in species such as Nicotiana benthamiana.¹ In microbial systems, Benzoyl-CoA serves as a “universal biomarker” for anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and phenol, reflecting adaptation to oxygen availability.² ³ Enzymes in this pathway, particularly benzoate-CoA ligase (BCL), are used as genomic markers; their gene context helps determine aerobic or anaerobic metabolism.³ Benzoyl-CoA metabolism is also studied in detoxification processes, including enzyme-mediated control of reactive epoxide intermediates to maintain cellular homeostasis.²
Other available forms
