MATE Transporter Facilitates Bitter Saponin Transport From Cytoplasm to Vacuole

May 09, 2024

By Zhang Nannan

Domestic soybeans serve as an important source of healthy edible plant oil and high-quality plant protein in our food culture. In addition to the well-known components of oil (approximately 20%), protein (approximately 40%), and carbohydrates (approximately 30%), soybean seeds also contain a range of specialized metabolites that promote human health. For example, soyasaponins, which make up 0.5–6.5% of the seed, and isoflavonoids, which make up 0.01–0.5%, are critical for promoting human health.

A research team led by Dr. Wang Guodong from Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) used gene co-expression analysis to identify GmMATE100 as a candidate gene for soyasaponin transport among 117 members of the Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion (MATE) transporter family in the soybean genome.

The study, titled "GmMATE100 is involved in the import of soyasaponins A and B into vacuoles in soybean plants (Glycine max L.)," was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry on April 22.

Subcellular localization experiments showed that GmMATE100 is localized to the vacuolar membrane in both plant and yeast cells. In vitro yeast transport assays revealed that GmMATE100 has activity in transporting both type A and type B soyasaponins, but is unable to transport the soyasaponin precursor, soyasapogenol.

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Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.