Use of sol-gel entrapment techniques for the resolution of itaconic acid biosynthetic pathway in Aspergillus terreus

A new technique of investigation of labile metabolic pathways using immobilization of the pathway in sol-gel derived silicate matrices was demonstrated. The biosynthetic pathway of itaconic acid in Aspergillus terreus is believed to proceed through decarboxylation of cis-aconitate catalyzed by an unstable enzyme aconitate decarboxylase, E.C. 4.1.1.6. Stabilization of this pathway in sol-gel derived silicate matrix enabled the elucidation of the correct sequence of biosynthetic steps. The decarboxylation of cis-aconitate does not lead directly to itaconate, but rather to citraconate. The latter is then isomerized to itaconate by a previously unknown enzyme.