Classification and analysis of conserved motifs in the sucrose transporter family in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) by bioinformatics approach

In this study, a total of 29 members of the CqSWEET family in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) has been comprehensively investigated by various bioinformatics methods. As the result, we indicated that the CqSWEET proteins were varied from 161 - 428 amino acid residues in size (17,7 - 47,7 kDa in weight). The isoelectric point of these proteins ranged from acid (4.9) to base (9,7), while the majority of the CqSWEET proteins are stable in the test tube. Our analyses also revealed that whole members of the CqSWEET family are hydrophobic, and a large amount of the CqSWEET proteins may localize in the secretory pathways. According to the unrooted phylogenetic tree, the CqSWEET proteins could be clearly classified into 3 distinct groups, as similar as in other higher plant species. Interestingly, the majority of the CqSWEET proteins contained 6 or 7 transmembrane helices. Our results also showed that a total of 4 conserved motifs has occurred in the majority of the CqSWEET family. Take together, our study could provide critical data for further functional characterization of the CaSWEET candidate genes related to the regulation of the growth and development in quinoa plants.