[Advances in the study of MATE gene family in Arabidopsis]

A new family of secondary transporters is referred to as the MATE (multidrug and toxic compound extrusion) family. These proteins mediate resistance to a wide range of cationic dyes, aminoglycosides and other structurally diverse antibiotics and drugs. MATE represents a large multigene family in Arabidopsis. At least 56 distinct genes were identified. This paper reviewed the research progress in Arabidopsis in three aspects. The first is the constitutes and the characteristics of this family in Arabidopsis. The second describes the major transport function. And, the third is about the explanation for function diversity of the gene family. The prospects of the research on this family are also viewed in this article.