ABSTRACT
Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are well associated with the desiccation tolerance in organisms. LEA proteins are categorized into at least seven groups by virtue of similarities in their deduced amino acid sequences. Most of the LEA proteins have the characteristics of high hydrophilicity and thermo-stability. The LEA proteins are in unstructured conformation in aqueous solution. However, they adopted amphiphilic alpha-helix structure during desiccation condition. LEA proteins are localized to the different organelles in the cells, i.e. cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and nucleus. The multi-functional capacity of LEA proteins are suggested, as protein stabilization, protection of enzyme activity, membrane association and stabilization, antioxidant function, metal-ion binding or DNA protection, etc. Here, we review the structural and functional characteristics of LEA proteins to provide a reference platform to understand their protective mechanisms during the adaptive response to desiccation in organisms.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Physiological , Dehydration , Desiccation , Droughts , Plant Physiological Phenomena , Plant Proteins , Physiology , Stress, PhysiologicalABSTRACT
The CR image system is a widely-used device to digitize X-ray images. The superiority of CR image system over a traditional X-ray camera shows that the former has a higher image quality and a less radiation dosage. Moreover, the CR image allows easier post-processes to convince the diagnoses and enables digital storage, reproduction and access on line. By analyzing the basic theory of CR image systems, the potential factors to impact the image quality are discussed. A series of strategy to improve the CR image quality are proposed.