Cleavage of formate from omega,4-dihydroxyacetophenone. An unusual oxygen-requiring reaction in the bacterial catabolism of 4-hydroxyacetophenone.

An enzyme, from a soil bacterium grown on 4-hydroxyacetophenone, cleaved the side chain of omega,4-dihydroxyacetophenone between the keto group and the carbon atom bearing a hydroxy group to give 4-hydroxybenzoate and formate. The reaction was O2-dependent. Partially purified enzyme required no added cofactors for activity.