Evolutionary analysis and expression profiling of the SWEET sugar transporter gene family in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

SWEETs play important roles in various biological processes, including plant growth, development, and response to environmental stimuli. Previously, we comprehensively found a total of 28 members of MeSWEET gene family in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Most of MeSWEET genes had 6 exons and 5 introns. In this study, 6 MeSWEET duplicated pairs, including 5 segmental and 1 tandem duplication events were manually predicted in cassava genome.