SUT5 — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3004G190500 (SbSUT5) on sorghum chromosome 4 encodes an uncharacterized protein with sucrose:proton symporter activity, as well as activity for maltose, salicin and arbutin transport. It is a member of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS_trans_sf). The gene is associated with phloem loading and unloading, sucrose and maltose transport, sucrose metabolism, pollen germination, and NO storage. Its product localises to the vacuole, membrane and plasmalemma. SbSUT5 has been linked to photosynthetic rate and to vegetative and leaf phenotypes. Studies of related genes in other species connect the SUT5 family to phloem and transporter functions, and to grain yield, net photosynthetic rate and drought tolerance.