An oxalyl-CoA synthetase is important for oxalate metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Although oxalic acid is common in nature our understanding of the mechanism(s) regulating its turnover remains incomplete. In this study we identify Saccharomyces cerevisiae acyl-activating enzyme 3 (ScAAE3) as an enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of oxalate to oxalyl-CoA. Based on our findings we propose that ScAAE3 catalyzes the first step in a novel pathway of oxalate degradation to protect the cell against the harmful effects of oxalate derived from an endogenous process or an environmental source.