Self-association and multimer formation in AtLEA4-5, a desiccation-induced intrinsically disordered protein from plants.

During seed maturation, plants may experience severe desiccation, leading to the accumulation of late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins. These intrinsically disordered proteins also accumulate in plant tissues under water deficit. Functional roles of LEA proteins have been proposed based on in vitro studies, where monomers are considered as the functional units.

Alternative conformations of a group 4 Late Embryogenesis Abundant protein associated to its in vitro protective activity.

Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins are a group of intrinsically disordered proteins implicated in plant responses to water deficit. In vitro studies revealed that LEA proteins protect reporter enzymes from inactivation during low water availability. Group 4 LEA proteins constitute a conserved protein family, displaying in vitro protective capabilities.