Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins: An overview

Khawla Missaoui, Zulema Gonzalez-Klein, Diego Pazos-Castro, Guadalupe Hernandez-Ramirez, Maria Garrido-Arandia, Faical Brini, Araceli Diaz-Perales, Jaime Tome-Amat

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are usually defined as small, basic proteins, with a wide distribution in all orders of higher plants. Structurally, nsLTPs contain a conserved motif of eight cysteines, linked by four disulphide bonds, and a hydrophobic cavity in which the ligand is housed. This structure confers stability and enhances the ability to bind and transport a variety of hydrophobic molecules. Their highly conserved structural resemblance but low sequence identity reflects the wide variety of ligands they can carry, as well as the broad biological functions to which they are linked to, such as membrane stabilization, cell wall organization and signal transduction. In addition, they have also been described as essential in resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, plant growth and development, seed development, and germination. Hence, there is growing interest in this family of proteins for their critical roles in plant development and for the many unresolved questions that need to be clarified, regarding their subcellular localization, transfer capacity, expression profile, biological function, and evolution.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)115-127
Number of pages13
JournalPlant Physiology and Biochemistry
Volume171
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Jan 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • LTPs function
  • Lipid ligand
  • Lipid transfer protein
  • Plant metabolism

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