o-Succinylbenzoate—CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.26), encoded from the menE gene in Escherichia coli, catalyzes the fifth reaction in the synthesis of menaquinone (vitamin K2).

This process of anaerobic respiration allows the bacteria to generate the energy required to survive.

In the presence of 0.5mM of Ca(2+), K(+), Na(+), and Zn(2+) the enzyme activity was increased twofold.

The molecular weight of o-succinylbenzoate CoA ligase is 185000 Da or 185 kDa.

[3] The pathway o-succinylbenzoate CoA ligase belongs to is called 1, 4-dihydroxy-2-napthoate biosynthesis I.

[4] Organisms that contain a pathway similar to this include Arabidopsis thaliana (gene AAE14),[5] Mycobacterium phlei,[6] and Synechocystis sp.