Bacterial Metabolism of Mevalonic Acid

Abstract
Soluble cell-free extracts of actinomycete S4 grown on media containing mevalonate catalyze acetoacetate formation from mevalonate, mevaldate, and β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (CoA). Conversion of mevalonate to acetoacetate involves formation of free β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA, but not free mevaldate. The reaction favors mevalonate oxidation, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, rather than nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, acts as oxidant.