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Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Techniques and Discoveries in Protein Synthesis and Assembly Through Innovative Mitochondrial Research
Published on: June 7, 2024
Characterizing MttA as a mitochondrial cis-aconitic acid transporter by metabolic engineering
Matthias G Steiger1, Peter J Punt2, Arthur F J Ram3
1Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH), Muthgasse 18, Vienna, Austria; Department of Biotechnology, BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Biology, University Leiden, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The mitochondrial carrier protein MttA is involved in the biosynthesis of itaconic acid in Aspergillus terreus. In this paper, the transport specificity of MttA is analyzed making use of different metabolically engineered Aspergillus niger strains. Furthermore, the mitochondrial localization of this protein is confirmed using fluorescence microscopy. It was found that MttA preferentially transports cis-aconitic acid over citric acid and does not transport itaconic acid. The expression of MttA in selected A. niger strains results in secretion of aconitic acid. MttA can be used in further strain engineering strategies to transport cis-aconitic acid to the cytosol to produce itaconic acid or related metabolites. The microbial production of aconitic acid (9g/L) is achieved in strains expressing this transport protein. Thus, metabolic engineering can be used for both the in vivo characterization of transport protein function like MttA and to make use of this protein by creating aconitic acid producing strains.
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