Alkane monooxygenase A

Alkane monooxygenase (AlmA) is an enzyme that catalyzes the initial oxidation of long-chain n-alkanes in bacteria like Acinetobacter and Alcanivorax. This process converts alkanes into primary alcohols, which are then further metabolised into fatty acids, making them available for use as an energy source. AlmA is crucial for the degradation of specific long-chain alkanes (C26-C38), as shown by the inability of bacteria to grow on these substrates when the almA gene is not present.