3-(1′-carboxylato-4′-hydroxy-2′,5′-cyclohexadienyl)alanine; an intermediate in phenylalanine and tyrosine biosynthesis in Euglena gracilis and some other microorganisms, and in plants. It is formed by transamination of prephenate and is subsequently decarboxylated and converted to tyrosine, or converted to phenylalanine by dehydration and decarboxylation