Molecular and Functional Insights into Sugar Transporters in Rice

Sugars are the main sources of energy and carbon for plants, making them crucial for various aspects of plant growth and development. Three prominent families of sugar transporters have been extensively researched: sucrose transporter, monosaccharide transporter, and Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter. The primary function of sugar transporters is to facilitate the movement of saccharide molecules, particularly sucrose and glucose, from cell to cell or from source tissues, such as leaves, to sink tissues like roots and developing seeds. Beyond mere transport, sugar transporters are integral to several biological and physiological processes in the plant. They are involved in phloem loading, which is critical for the distribution of nutrients throughout the plant, contribute to overall plant growth and development, and are essential in response to biotic (e.g., pathogen attacks) and abiotic (e.g., drought or salinity) stresses. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary and update on the functions of these sugar transporters, specifically in rice, and highlight the potential applications of gene editing technologies, which could be harnessed to enhance rice crop traits and improve yields.