Description
This enzyme differs from EC 1.3.3.3, coproporphyrinogen oxidase, by using S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) instead of oxygen as oxidant. It occurs mainly in bacteria, whereas eukaryotes use the oxygen-dependent oxidase. The reaction starts by using an electron from the reduced form of the enzyme's [4Fe-4S] cluster to split AdoMet into methionine and the radical 5'-deoxyadenosin-5'-yl. This radical initiates attack on the 2-carboxyethyl groups, leading to their conversion into vinyl groups. This conversion, -·CH-CH2-COO- → -CH=CH2 + CO2 + e- replaces the electron initially used