Protein research in millets: current status and way forward

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Biochemistry
• Food Security

Background:

• Millets are vital climate-resilient crops for global food security, particularly in Asia and Africa.
• Despite their importance, research on millet proteins and proteomes is significantly limited compared to major cereals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of protein research in various millet species.
• To provide insights into understanding protein responses for enhanced climate resilience and nutrient supplementation in millets.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on millet protein identification and characterization.
• Analysis of available proteome data and experimentally proven protein structures across different millets.
• Identification of research gaps in stress-responsive protein studies and protein localization.

Main Results:

• Reference proteome data is available only for sorghum, foxtail millet, and proso millet.
• Most stress-responsive protein studies focus on foxtail millet under drought conditions; other millets have limited data.
• Sorghum possesses the most experimentally proven protein crystal structures, while other millets have few or none.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for expanded proteomics research in millets to support crop improvement.
• Further investigation into millet proteins will aid in breeding climate-resilient and nutrient-rich varieties for future food security.