HSP22 — Phaseolus vulgaris

Summary

PHAVU_007G113700, symbol HSP22, encodes a small heat shock protein (HSP20 family) with a characteristic A-crystallin/Hsp20 domain and chaperone activity, as indicated by its molecular function in identical protein binding. In French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) on chromosome 7, this gene is associated with responses to multiple abiotic stresses, including heat, hydrogen peroxide, cadmium, copper, arsenic, ethanol, salinity, and hypoxia, as well as with protein folding, oligomerization, and signal transduction. It localizes to the cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, and macromolecular complexes. Phenotype associations link HSP22 to heat tolerance and heat acclimation. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to seed protein content, germination rate, chlorophyll content, and high temperature stress response, though these are not established for PvHSP22 itself.