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Structure, evolution and diverse physiological roles of SWEET sugar transporters in plants

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Abstract

Key message

Present review describes the structure, evolution, transport mechanism and physiological functions of SWEETs. Their application using TALENs and CRISPR/CAS9 based genomic editing approach is discussed.

Abstract

Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEET) proteins were first identified in plants as the novel family of sugar transporters which mediates the translocation of sugars across cell membranes. The SWEET family of sugar transporters is unique in terms of their structure which contains seven predicted transmembrane domains with two internal triple-helix bundles which possibly originate due to prokaryotic gene duplication. SWEETs perform diverse physiological functions such as pollen nutrition, nectar secretion, seed filling, phloem loading, and pathogen nutrition which we have discussed in the present review. We also discuss how transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and CRISPR/CAS9 genome editing tools are used to engineer SWEET mutants which modulate pathogen resistance in plants and its applications in the field of agriculture. The expression of SWEETs promises to implement insights into many other cellular transport mechanisms. To conclude, the present review highlights the recent aspects which will further develop better understanding of molecular evolution, structure, and function of SWEET transporters in plants.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Director, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India for providing the necessary facilities. GSJ and SK acknowledge UGC for fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Biotechnology Division, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), P.O. CIMAP, Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, Lucknow, 226015, India

    Gajendra Singh Jeena, Sunil Kumar & Rakesh Kumar Shukla

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  1. Gajendra Singh Jeena
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  2. Sunil Kumar
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  3. Rakesh Kumar Shukla
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Contributions

GSJ has written and compiled the manuscript. SK has helped in editing the manuscript. RKS has conceptualized the theme and edited the final manuscript. All authors finally read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Rakesh Kumar Shukla.

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Jeena, G.S., Kumar, S. & Shukla, R.K. Structure, evolution and diverse physiological roles of SWEET sugar transporters in plants. Plant Mol Biol 100, 351–365 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-019-00872-4

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