The A subunit of Protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase (LigAB) is the smaller, non-catalytic subunit
The A subunit is the non-catalytic subunit of Protocatechuate (PCA) 4,5-dioxygenase (LigAB), which is composed of A and B subunits that form a tetramer. PCA 4,5-dioxygenase catalyzes the oxidization and subsequent ring-opening of PCA (or 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid), which is an intermediate in the breakdown of lignin and other compounds. PCA 4,5-dioxygenase is one of the aromatic ring opening dioxygenases which play key roles in the degradation of aromatic compounds. As a member of the Class III extradiol dioxygenase family, LigAB uses a non-heme Fe(II) to cleave aromatic rings between a hydroxylated carbon and an adjacent non-hydroxylated carbon.