Genetically engineered microbes and methods for producing citramalate

Abstract

Provided herein is a genetically engineered microbe which accumulates citramalate. In one embodiment, the microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a citramalate synthase which catalyzes the condensation of acetyl CoA and pyruvic acid. Optionally, the microbe also includes a second exogenous polynucleotide encoding a citrate synthase which catalyzes the condensation of acetyl CoA and oxaloacetate, and the citrate synthase activity in the microbe is reduced compared to a control microbe. In one embodiment, the citrate synthase includes at least one amino acid substitution in the acetyl-CoA binding pocket, the mobile loop, the NADH binding site, and the oxaloacetate binding site, or a combination thereof. Also provided herein are methods for using the genetically engineered microbe, including a method for producing citramalate. The method can further include isolating the citramalate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.