An Unusual Route for -Aminobenzoate Biosynthesis in Chlamydia trachomatis Involves a Probable Self-Sacrificing Diiron Oxygenase.

lacks the canonical genes required for the biosynthesis of -aminobenzoate (pABA), a component of essential folate cofactors. Previous studies revealed a single gene from , the CT610 gene, that rescues Δ, Δ, and Δ mutants, which are otherwise auxotrophic for pABA. CT610 shares low sequence similarity to nonheme diiron oxygenases, and the previously solved crystal structure revealed a diiron active site.