The multitasking abilities of MATE transporters in plants

Abstract

As sessile organisms, plants constantly monitor environmental cues and respond appropriately to modulate their growth and development. Membrane transporters act as gatekeepers of the cell regulating both the inflow of useful materials as well as exudation of harmful substances. Members of the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family of transporters are ubiquitously present in almost all forms of life including prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In bacteria, MATE proteins were originally characterized as efflux transporters conferring drug resistance. There are 58 MATE transporters in Arabidopsis thaliana, which are also known as DETOXIFICATION (DTX) proteins. In plants, these integral membrane proteins are involved in a diverse array of functions, encompassing secondary metabolite transport, xenobiotic detoxification, aluminium tolerance, and disease resistance. MATE proteins also regulate overall plant development by controlling phytohormone transport, tip growth processes, and senescence. While most of the functional characterizations of MATE proteins have been reported in Arabidopsis, recent reports suggest that their diverse roles extend to numerous other plant species. The wide array of functions exhibited by MATE proteins highlight their multitasking ability. In this review, we integrate information related to structure and functions of MATE transporters in plants. Since these transporters are central to mechanisms that allow plants to adapt to abiotic and biotic stresses, their study can potentially contribute to improving stress tolerance under changing climatic conditions.

Candidate Domestication-Related Genes Revealed by Expression Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Narrow-Leafed Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

“…Lup018348 encodes a homolog of DETOXIFICATION14 , a member of the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion ( MATE efflux) family [89]. MATE transporters perform various functions including phytohormone transport, secondary metabolite transport, xenobiotic detoxification, aluminium tolerance, disease resistance, tip growth processes, and senescence [90]. Some MATE proteins have been involved in the transport of anthocyanins or proanthocyanidins to vacuoles and in the flavonoid metabolism pathways [91,92].…”

A multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporter modulates auxin levels in root to regulate root development and promotes aluminium tolerance

“…The constitutively expressing 35S:DTX30 line also showed an increase in citrate exudation after Al treatment indicating the involvement of citrate exuders acting independent of DTX30 (Figure 7a). DTX30 lacks the characteristic N‐terminal cytoplasmic loop and 50 amino acid citrate exuding motif specifically present in the citrate exuding MATE transporters, suggesting that DTX30 might indirectly modulate citrate exudation (Upadhyay et al, ). Another Arabidopsis MATE transporter, AtMATE, has been previously shown to regulate citrate exudation into the rhizosphere.…”

“…In Arabidopsis thaliana , there are 58 members in the MATE family of which only two, AtFRD3 and AtMATE, have been characterized with respect to citrate exudation in response to Al toxicity (Durrett, Gassmann, & Rogers, ; L. Li, He, Pandey, Tsuchiya, & Luan, ; J. Liu, Magalhaes, Shaff, & Kochian, ). In addition to abiotic stress regulation, MATE transporters play roles in regulation of hormone levels and developmental process (Upadhyay et al, ). ADP1 is known to regulate local auxin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (R. Li et al, ).…”

“…Liu, Magalhaes, Shaff, & Kochian, 2009). In addition to abiotic stress regulation, MATE transporters play roles in regulation of hormone levels and developmental process (Upadhyay et al, 2019). ADP1 is known to regulate local auxin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (R. Li et al, 2014).…”

“…Most MATE transporters are characterized by the presence of 12 putative transmembrane segments and primarily function as H + coupled antiporters. The MATE transporters perform a wide array of functions ranging from secondary metabolite transport, detoxification, disease resistance, and Al tolerance (Kryvoruchko et al, ; Upadhyay et al, ). They localize to the plasma membrane, tonoplast, or chloroplast envelope transporting a diverse range of compounds.…”