What do plant transporter proteins do?

Approximately 25% of all plant genes encode proteins that transport substances across membranes, and a large proportion of energy available from photosynthesis is required to transport the nutrients required for growth and grain filling. Plant membrane transporters can be manipulated to enhance crop yields and cultivatable land, by increasing nutrient content and resistance to key stresses (salinity, drought, pathogens, extreme soil pH, etc).

CropTiPS (Crop Transport Information,Physiology and Signalling Database) is comprehensive knowledgebase of membrane transport and signalling systems classified under each substrate, including the gene families for wheat, barley, rice and maize. The source of the data is obtained from published membrane transporter studies and linked to reference transport proteins in the four crop species.