MATE — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3007G020600, designated SbMATE (also known as FRDL2 or SbFRDL2) on sorghum chromosome 7, encodes a member of the MATE family, containing a DinF-like domain. The protein exhibits citrate transmembrane transporter, xenobiotic transmembrane transporter, antiporter, and general transmembrane transporter activities. SbMATE is associated with citrate secretion and transport, response to aluminum, membrane transport, secretion, homeostasis, sulfur metabolism, and localization. It localizes to the membrane, plasmalemma, and root hair. The gene is linked to grain yield and aluminum response traits, as well as aluminum tolerance and resistance phenotypes. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to aluminum tolerance, root elongation, and root morphology. Sequence similarity links further associate the family with agronomically important traits including grain size, weight, number, and width, plant height, drought tolerance, and leaf chlorosis.