Characterization of two putative polyol transporter gene families from Arabidopsis thaliana

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Norbert Sauer
• Subject Area: Plant Cell and Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2002 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5388173

Over the last 10 years two Arabidopsis sugar transporter families have been analysed in detail in our lab: The STP gene family with 14 genes for monosaccharide transporters of the plasma membrane, and the SUC family with 9 genes encoding sucrose transporters of the plasma membrane. Whereas no additional SUC transporter-like genes are found in the Arabidopsis genome, numerous STP transporter-like homologs have been identified. The 39 genes showing the highest degree of homology to the STP genes (all annotated as "sugar transporter homologs") can be separated into 6 distinct gene families that differ clearly from each other and from the STP family. Two of these families exhibiting significant homologies to transporters of linear polyols (6 genes) or to Na+- or H+-cyclitol symporters (4 genes) will be analyzed in this project with respect to their functional properties, with respect to their cellular and subcellular localization, and with respect to their regulation under changing developmental and environmental conditions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants