LP2 — Lactuca sativa

Summary

LsLP2 (LP2) on chromosome 1 of garden lettuce encodes a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) belonging to the bifunctional inhibitor/LTP/seed storage superfamily. The protein exhibits lipid carrier and lipid binding activities, and is associated with phospholipid transfer to membranes, cutin anabolism, cuticle development, and plant epidermal cell differentiation. It has been linked to defence responses against fungi, programmed cell death, and IgE binding. The gene is associated with photosynthetic rate, drought tolerance, cold tolerance, osmotic stress tolerance, flowering time, shoot development and branching, hypocotyl elongation, pollen tube growth, seed set, and cuticle permeability. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to pathogen resistance, cuticle integrity, yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and salt stress tolerance.