Background: HpaI is a metal-dependent pyruvate aldolase bridging aromatic hydrocarbon degradation and central metabolism.Results: Crystal structures of enzyme⅐substrate complexes reveal the catalytic mechanism. Conclusion: Two water molecules, one of them Co 2ϩ -bound, are acid-base catalysts, whereas an arginine residue stabilizes transient negative charges. Significance: Results provide a framework for engineering pyruvate aldolases with improved biocatalysis of C-C bond formation.