The mechanism appears to involve hydration of the acetylene and decarboxylation of the oxaloacetic acid formed, although free oxaloacetate is not an intermediate. It is thus analogous to EC 4.2.1.27 (acetylenecarboxylate hydratase) in its mechanism.
History
EC 4.1.1.78 created 1978 as EC 4.2.1.72, transferred 2000 to EC 4.1.1.78