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Group II late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins: structural and functional aspects in plant abiotic stress

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Abstract

Group II late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are crucial phytomolecules which accumulate mainly in the late phases of seed development and also in the vegetative tissues in response to exogenous stress. In spite of considerable research, their mechanism of action to generate plant tolerance against abiotic stresses still remains obscure. The present review focuses on the varied structural aspects which ultimately dictate the multifarious functions of the Group II LEA proteins when the plants are exposed to intense desiccation. Currently, several reports have been documented regarding newer in silico approaches in predicting LEA protein structure and the corresponding cis-elements. Coupled to recent transgenic approaches, these reports need to be properly structured to further characterize the physico-chemical and functional importance of LEA proteins in regulating tolerance against multiple abiotic stresses.

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Abbreviations

LEA:

Late embryogenesis abundant

IDP:

Intrinsically disordered protein

PDB:

Protein database

DHN:

Dehydrin

Rab:

Responsive to abscisic acid

ERD:

Early response to dehydration

COR:

Cold responsive

LTi:

Low temperature inducible

ABA:

Abscisic acid

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Acknowledgments

Financial assistance from Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India through the research Grant (SR/FT/LS-65/2010) and from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, through the research Grant [38(1387)/14/EMR-II] to Dr. Aryadeep Roychoudhury is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), 30, Mother Teresa Sarani, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700016, India

    Aditya Banerjee & Aryadeep Roychoudhury

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  1. Aditya Banerjee
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  2. Aryadeep Roychoudhury
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Correspondence to Aryadeep Roychoudhury.

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Banerjee, A., Roychoudhury, A. Group II late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins: structural and functional aspects in plant abiotic stress. Plant Growth Regul 79, 1–17 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-015-0113-3

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