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MitoAtlas: a Domain-Resolved Spatial Map of the Human Mitochondrial Proteome
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MitoAtlas: a Domain-Resolved Spatial Map of the Human Mitochondrial Proteome

Jiwoong Kang, Sanghee Shin, Chulhwan Kwak +9 more
April 2026
 ·
bioRxiv
 ·
DOI 
10.64898/2026.04.03.716438
94
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Reproducible
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Why this is interesting

Where existing databases offered only compartment-level assignments, MitoAtlas delivers domain-resolved topology for 861 proteins, uncovers 160 unannotated mitochondrial residents, and overturns canonical models like LETM1—fundamentally reframing spatial interpretation of mitochondrial disease variants.

QED claims analysis

Summary

MitoAtlas provides domain-resolution spatial mapping of 861 mitochondrial proteins through multiplexed super-resolution proximity labeling integrated with machine learning classification, resolving membrane topologies for 196 transmembrane proteins, identifying 160 previously unannotated mitochondrial proteins, and enabling prediction of protein-protein and protein-metabolite interactions that reveal compartment-specific organizational principles of mitochondrial architecture and metabolism.

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Main Claim 1 –

42-bait multiplexed SR-PL maps 13,440 mitochondrial labeled sites

Supporting evidence

  • MitoAtlas discovers 160 new mitochondrial mito-orphan proteins across compartments
Main Claim 2 –

Two-stage logistic regression assigns sub-mitochondrial localization and topology

Supporting evidence

  • Spatial labeling plus structural modeling predicts protein and metabolite interactions
Main Claim 3 –

MitoAtlas resolves topology of 196 mitochondrial transmembrane proteins

Supporting evidence

  • Mitochondrial functional domains partition by sub-compartment with mechanistic significance
  • MitoAtlas topology links compartment to variants, PTMs, and evolutionary constraint

Abstract

Mitochondrial function depends on the precise sub-organellar localization and topological orientation of its proteome. However, mapping this architecture with domain-level precision across the double-membrane system has remained challenging. Here, we present MitoAtlas, a spatial systems biology resource built on SR-PL (super-resolution proximity labeling) that resolves the sub-mitochondrial architecture of 861 proteins at domain-level resolution. By deploying 42 spatially restricted APEX2 and BioID/BioID2 baits across mitochondrial compartments and cytosol in HEK293T-REx cells, we mapped 13,440 unique proximity-labeled sites. Integrating high-density spatial data with a machine-learning classification pipeline and AlphaFold structural modeling, we resolved membrane topologies for 196 transmembrane proteins and assigned sub-mitochondrial localizations to 160 previously unannotated mitochondrial proteins absent from MitoCarta3.0, including MINPP1 as an intermembrane space resident. Coupling bait-specific proximity labeling signatures with AlphaFold structure prediction and metabolite docking identified 47 protein–protein interactions, including the LETM1–Citrate Synthase complex, and 155 protein–metabolite interactions. MitoAtlas is available at mitoatlas.org as a domain-resolution spatial map of mitochondrial architecture and metabolism.

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