LEA — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

Rice gene OS11G0454300, also known as RAB21, RAB16A, or LEA, encodes a dehydrin-family protein characterized by a dehydrin conserved sequence domain. The product exhibits lipid-binding activities, including binding to phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidate, and phosphoinositides. In rice, this gene is associated with salt tolerance and water stress response. The protein localizes to the vesicle membrane, cytosol, and nucleus. Additional associations include carbohydrate and membrane breakdown, abscisic acid anabolism, and chlorophyll fluorescence. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to drought tolerance, winter survival, salinity tolerance, seed maturation, and root architecture traits.