ABCL catalyzes the initial step in the 2-aminobenzoate aerobic degradation pathway by activating 2-aminobenzoate to 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA. The reaction is carried out via a two-step process; the first step is ATP-dependent and forms a 2-aminobenzoyl-AMP intermediate, and the second step forms the 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA ester and releases the AMP. 2-Aminobenzoyl-CoA is further converted to 2-amino-5-oxo-cyclohex-1-ene-1-carbonyl-CoA catalyzed by 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA monooxygenase/reductase. ABCL has been purified from cells aerobically grown with 2-aminobenzoate as sole carbon, energy, and nitrogen source, and has been characterized as a monomer.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",