Phloem unloading of sucrose: cloning, functional characterisation and regulation of novel membrane transporters

蔗糖是植物生物量的主要形式，由光合作用的叶片产生，被运送到非光合作用的器官进行生长和储存。蔗糖转运蛋白在促进蔗糖在植物周围的转运中起着关键作用。因此，蔗糖转运体的活性直接影响植物的生长速度和作物产量。我们的目标是分离出迄今为止未知的在细胞间高速移动蔗糖的膜蛋白，并发现它们的运输特性。预期结果是更好地了解蔗糖转运的机制和调控，从而为提高作物产量提供新的机会。该项目将促进富有成效的国际合作。

Sucrose is the principal form in which plant biomass, produced in photosynthetic leaves, is transported to non-photosynthetic organs for growth and storage. Sucrose transport proteins play pivotal roles in facilitating sucrose transport around plants. Hence activities of sucrose transporters directly impact on plant growth rates and crop yields. Our aim is to isolate hitherto unknown membrane proteins that move sucrose at high rates between cells and discover their transport properties. Expected outcomes are to better understand mechanisms and regulation of sucrose transport and hence provide novel opportunities to enhance crop yield. The project will foster a productive international collaboration.