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MASRQNNKQE LDERARQGET VVPGGTGGKS LEAQQHLAEG RSKGGQTRKE QLGTEGYQEM - 60
GRKGGLSTVD KSGEERAQEE GIGIDESKFR TGNNKNQNQN EDQDK

"Late embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) proteins accumulate to high concentrations in plant embryos during the latter stages of seed development before desiccation. LEA proteins also accumulate in vegetative tissues exposed to exogenous abscisic acid, as well as dehydration, osmotic, and lowtemperature stress.... Various functions have been proposed for different groups of LEA proteins ranging from water binding to minimize water loss and protein and membrane stabilization or protection to ion sequestration and scavenging. LEA proteins also display diverse subcellular and tissue-specific localization patterns, suggesting that different groups or group members fulfill specific functional roles.... However, the exact in planta function of these different groups of LEA proteins remain unknown.... The predicted hydrophilic and high degree of random coil structure of group 1 LEA proteins have led some researchers to propose these proteins may serve as water-binding proteins that can minimize water loss, act as hydration buffers to regulate water status, or interact with the surface of macromolecules as a water matrix or replacement to oppose protein denaturation in dehydrating tissues." (Soulages et al. 2002)