<p>This entry represents a bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the second and third steps (cysteine ligation, (<db_xref db="EC" dbkey="6.3.2.5"/>), and decarboxylation, (<db_xref db="EC" dbkey="4.1.1.36"/>)) in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A (CoA) from pantothenate in bacteria. The amino-terminal region is responsible for the phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase activity [<cite idref="PUB00015483"/>].</p><p>In early descriptions of this flavoprotein, a ts mutation in one region of the protein appeared to cause a defect in DNA metaobolism rather than an increased need for the pantothenate precursor beta-alanine. This protein was then called dfp, for DNA/pantothenate metabolism flavoprotein [[<cite idref="PUB00015610"/>].</p><p>It has been suggested that this bifunctional protein should be renamed coaBC [<cite idref="PUB00015483"/>].</p> Bifunctional phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase/phosphopantothenate--cysteine ligase