Abstract: A transformant constructed by introducing a gene which encodes an enzyme having chorismate-pyruvate lyase activity into a coryneform bacterium as a host is capable of efficiently producing 4-hydroxybenzoic acid or a salt thereof from a sugar. When the transformant is cultured under aerobic conditions where the transformant does not grow, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid or a salt thereof can be produced in a particularly efficient manner.

Abstract: The mutant chorismate-pyruvate lyase (A) or (B) as described below is capable of producing 4-hydroxybenzoic acid or a salt thereof with sufficient practical efficiency. (A) A mutant chorismate-pyruvate lyase obtained by replacing the valine at position 80 in a chorismate-pyruvate lyase (ubiC) from Pantoea ananatis consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 with one or more other amino acids. (B) A mutant chorismate-pyruvate lyase obtained by replacing an amino acid in another chorismate-pyruvate lyase, the amino acid being at a position enzymologically homologous with that of the above valine, with one or more other amino acids.

Abstract: Provided is a phenol-producing transformant constructed by transferring a gene which encodes an enzyme having chorismate-pyruvate lyase activity and a gene which encodes an enzyme having 4-hydroxybenzoate decarboxylase activity into a coryneform bacterium as a host. Also provided is a process for producing phenol, which comprises a step of allowing the transformant to react in a reaction mixture containing a saccharide under reducing conditions, and a step of collecting phenol from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A phenol-producing transformant is provided which can efficiently produce phenol from a saccharide. A gene which encodes an enzyme having tyrosine phenol-lyase activity is transferred into Corynebacterium glutamicum as a host. A process for producing phenol is provided having a step of reacting the transformant in a reaction mixture containing a saccharide under reducing conditions, and a step of collecting phenol from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Provided is a phenol-producing transformant constructed by transferring a gene which encodes an enzyme having 4-hydroxybenzoate decarboxylase activity into Corynebacterium glutamicum as a host. Also provided is a process for producing phenol, which comprises a step of allowing the transformant to react in a reaction mixture containing 4-hydroxybenzoate or a salt thereof under reducing conditions, and a step of collecting phenol from the reaction mixture.