This enzyme belongs to the family of isomerases, specifically the class of intramolecular lyases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 3-carboxy-2,5-dihydro-5-oxofuran-2-acetate lyase (decyclizing). This enzyme is also called 3-carboxymuconate cyclase. This enzyme participates in benzoate degradation via hydroxylation.
Structural studies
As of late 2007, only one structure has been solved for this class of enzymes, with the PDB accession code 1JOF.