Tricarboxylate transport protein (mitochondrial) (CTP)

"Citrate transporter" is a non-specific term for a family of membrane proteins that facilitate the movement of citrate across cellular or organelle membranes. In humans, two major types are recognized: (1) the mitochondrial tricarboxylate transport protein (SLC25A1/CTP), which exchanges citrate and malate across the mitochondrial inner membrane and is crucial for providing cytosolic citrate for lipid and sterol biosynthesis, and (2) the sodium-dependent citrate transporter (SLC13A5/NaCT), a plasma membrane protein involved in hepatic and neuronal citrate uptake. In plants and microbes, specialized citrate transporters such as those in the MATE family export citrate to detoxify metals or support unique metabolic needs. These proteins are emerging targets in metabolic disease, cancer, and plant bioengineering[1][2][3][4].

Other names

mitochondrial citrate transportertricarboxylate carrierCTPsodium-dependent citrate transporterNaCTINDY (in Drosophila, but not in humans)aluminum-activated citrate transporterMATE transporter (e.g., HvAACT1 in barley)

Inhibition of citrate uptake reduces cytoplasmic citrate and can suppress fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis. Inhibition of NaCT may affect neuronal and hepatic metabolism; CTP inhibition may impact mitochondrial function. In plants, modulation of citrate secretion alters aluminum tolerance.