Researchers from Professor Yuan Qin’s group at Guangxi University have harnessed cutting-edge AlphaFold technology to unveil the concealed intricacies of sugar transporter proteins, known as SWEET (Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters).
Their groundbreaking work, titled “Pineapple SWEET10 is a glucose transporter,” has been published in the journal Horticulture Research.
While prior studies primarily relied on linear protein sequences to comprehend the conservation of these transporters across various organisms, this innovative research delved into the three-dimensional structures and substrate binding capacities of these crucial proteins. By utilizing AlphaFold, the team shed new light on the functionality of transporter proteins, opening up a previously unattainable dimension of knowledge through traditional methods.
The study’s central focus was to expand our understanding of sugar transporters, with particular emphasis on their roles in the economically significant fruit crop, pineapple, which has remained relatively understudied. Leveraging AlphaFold, the researchers made a significant observation – Arabidopsis SWEET8, a glucose transporter, shares a remarkable structural similarity with pineapple SWEET10. To validate this newfound insight, the researchers conducted a heterologous transport assay, revealing that both Arabidopsis SWEET8 and pineapple SWEET10 possess similar glucose transport capabilities.
In contrast, structurally dissimilar pineapple transporters, SWEET6 and SWEET8, were found to be incapable of transporting glucose. Furthermore, it was observed that the Arabidopsis sweet8 mutant displayed pollen growth defects, a condition not mitigated by structurally dissimilar pineapple SWEET6 and SWEET8 transporters. However, the breakthrough moment came when the researchers sought to restore the Arabidopsis sweet8 mutant phenotype using structurally similar pineapple SWEET10. Astonishingly, pineapple SWEET10 not only complemented the pollen phenotype of Atsweet8 but also rectified the viable seed number phenotype.
This study sets the stage for a deeper comprehension of sugar transporters, offering the potential for enhanced crop breeding and improved agricultural practices. The utilization of AlphaFold in structural-based functional studies opens up new avenues for research within the realm of protein biology. The revelation of structural similarities and functional disparities among these proteins carries profound implications for the fields of plant biology and agriculture.
In addition to showcasing the power of AlphaFold, this study underscores the critical importance of 3D structural analysis in unraveling the mysteries of essential biological processes. It represents a significant leap forward in our quest to decipher the inner workings of the natural world. Overall, these findings hold profound implications for advancing our understanding of plant physiology and metabolism and for devising strategies to enhance crop yield and quality.