Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of MST, SUT and SWEET transporters in Dendrobium catenatum

Background Sugar transporters (STs) play a critical part in the transporting of sugar, be involved in plant growth and development, stress/defense and signal transduction. Dendrobium catenatum (also name as Dendrobium officinale , here after D. catenatum ) is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb with remarkable medicinal functions and high economic value. Polysaccharides are the primary active components exerting various pharmacological activities in D. catenatum. Sugar transporters function as material supplier and may play the essential roles in the polysaccharide biosynthesis, as well as the key player in the abiotic stress signaling and responses in Dendrobium plants. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive analysis of sugar transporters in D. catenatum , and limits the understanding of sugar partitioning in D. catenatum. Results In this work, we identified the members of MST, SUT, and SWEET gene families in four Dendrobium plants. Phylogenetic analysis, structural arrangement, regulatory networks, expression profiles, and potential functions of sugar transporters were systematic study in D. catenatum . Seven DcSTs involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis was identified using WGCNA. Red-blue light is an effective way to improve the accumulation of polysaccharides, and influences the expression of polysaccharide biosynthesis related genes. Conclusions This study provide insight into the evolution and functional annotation of sugar transporters in Dendrobium , and lays a foundation for future functional research of sugar transporters involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis and stress response.