title: [Functions of late embryogenesis abundant proteins in desiccation-tolerance of organisms: a review].
abstract: Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are well associated with the desiccation tolerance in organisms. LEA proteins are categorized into at least seven groups by virtue of similarities in their deduced amino acid sequences. Most of the LEA proteins have the characteristics of high hydrophilicity and thermo-stability. The LEA proteins are in unstructured conformation in aqueous solution. However, they adopted amphiphilic alpha-helix structure during desiccation condition. LEA proteins are localized to the different organelles in the cells, i.e. cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and nucleus. The multi-functional capacity of LEA proteins are suggested, as protein stabilization, protection of enzyme activity, membrane association and stabilization, antioxidant function, metal-ion binding or DNA protection, etc. Here, we review the structural and functional characteristics of LEA proteins to provide a reference platform to understand their protective mechanisms during the adaptive response to desiccation in organisms.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Microorganism and Genetic Engineering of Shenzhen City, College of Life Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Guobao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ranhui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yongdong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Yizhi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D003681:Dehydration; D003890:Desiccation; D055864:Droughts; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; C066246:late embryogenesis abundant protein, plant