L-quinate + NAD(+) = 3-dehydroquinate + H(+) + NADH Aromatic compound metabolism; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate biosynthesis; 3-dehydroquinate from D-quinate (NAD(+) route): step 1/1. By quinic acid and the positive regulator qa-1f. N.crassa can utilize quinic acid as sole carbon source, oxidizing it to protocatechuic acid and ultimately to succinic acid and acetic acid. The conversion of quinic acid to protocatechuic acid is catalyzed by enzymes which are encoded by three coordinately regulated genes comprising the qa gene cluster.