Why So Many LEA Proteins?(Papers presented at the Seminar, "NIAS International Seminar for Cryobiology and Cryotechnology")

Abstract

LEA (late embryogenesis abundant) proteins are hydrophilic polypeptides, often intrinsically disordered, which accumulate concurrently with the acquisition of desiccation tolerance in higher plant seeds and other anhydrobiotes. Several hundred LEA proteins belonging to twelve classes have been identified in different organisms. Interestingly, dozens of LEA genes are found in plant genomes, which suggests the encoded proteins may have diverse functions. Analysis of the subcellular localization of the 51 LEA proteins in Arabidopsis revealed a wide distribution in most compartments. Mitochondrial LEA proteins have been indentified in seeds, and also in brine shrimp anhydrobiotic embryos, highlighting the importance of protecting the energy transducing organelle, in particular the inner membrane.