Catabolism of Gentisic Acid by Two Strains of Bacillus stearothermophilus

Abstract
Gentisate degradation in 2 strains of B. stearothermophilus is described. In 1 strain, cis, trans isomerization of maleylpyruvate to fumarylpyruvate is catalyzed by a N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive enzyme, but in the other, gentisate is converted to fumarate and pyruvate in a reduced glutathione-independent reaction.