The enzyme has been used to create an oxygen scavenging system along with protocatechuate (PCA) and Trolox. The enzyme employs a nonheme iron center that catalyzes the conversion of PCA and molecular oxygen into β-carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid, while the antioxidant Trolox suppresses slow blinking and photobleaching of cyanine dyes. It has been used in the preparation of imaging buffer along with DMB-BSA (dynein motility buffer-BSA), ATP and protocatechuate in single molecule motility assay.
Protocatechuate 3,4-Dioxygenase belongs to the non-heme iron family of enzymes. The active site of the enzyme contains Fe3+.
Protocatechuate 3,4-Dioxygenase catalyzes the degradation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (protocatechuate) into β-carboxy-cis,cis-muconate.
