Structural Plasticity of Intrinsically Disordered LEA Proteins from Xerophyta schlechteri Provides Protection In Vitro and In Vivo

摘要: Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are essential to the ability of resurrection plants and orthodox seeds protect subcellular milieu against irreversible damage associated with desiccation. In this work, we investigated structure function six LEA expressed during desiccation in monocot species Xerophyta schlechteri (XsLEAs). silico analyses suggested that XsLEAs hydrophilic variable intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) properties. Circular dichroism (CD) analysis indicated these mostly unstructured water but acquire secondary hydrophobic solution, suggesting structural dynamics may play a role their environment. The protective property was demonstrated by preserve activity enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) desiccation, heat oxidative stress, as well growth Escherichia coli upon exposure osmotic salt stress. Subcellular localization XsLEA recombinant differentially distributed cytoplasm, membranes nucleus Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Interestingly, LEA_1 family (XsLEA1-8), showing highest disorder-to-order propensity vitro vivo, also able enhance drought stress tolerance Arabidopsis thaliana. Together, our results suggest plasticity is for avoid various components caused deficit XsLEA1-8 constitutes potential model engineering stability improvement water-deficit plants.