Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Investigating flavonoid-specific MATE transporters and their role in banana. |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. shivi Tyagi, National Institute Of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | shivityagi03@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | Flavonoids are specialized metabolites found in plants with various biological functions, including UV protection, pigmentation, defense against pathogens, and pollinator attraction. They also have health-promoting properties in humans, making them a subject of intense research interest in plant biology and human health. The efficient intracellular transport of flavonoids is crucial for their proper localization and function within plant cells. A specific class of transporters called "Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion" (MATE) transporters has emerged as pivotal players in the cellular efflux of secondary metabolites in plants. MATE transporters are membrane proteins known for their ability to transport a broad range of substrates, including plant secondary metabolites, ions, and xenobiotics. Flavonoids present unique challenges in terms of their cellular movement due to their chemical diversity and structural complexity. The selective transport of flavonoids inside or out of the cell requires specialized transporters capable of recognizing and extruding these compounds efficiently. The proposed research project aims to identify and characterize flavonoid-specific MATE transporters in banana, a widely consumed and economically significant fruit enriched in flavonoid content. The study will provide in-depth DNA-protein interactions of transcription factors regulating the role of flavonoid-specific MATE transporters in banana, analyze protein-protein interactions using Y1H and dual luciferase assays, and determine substrate specificity using transport assays in Yeast. |
Organizations involved