Molecular characterization of two alanine-rich Lea genes abundantly expressed in the resurrection plant C-plantagineum in response to osmotic stress and ABA

Expression of many genes is induced during dehydration in vegetative tissue s of the desiccation tolerant resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum . The most abundant group of desiccation-related gene products belong to th e IEA (= Late Embryogenesis Abundant) proteins. Here we describe structures and expression patterns of members of group 3 and group 4 Lea genes from C . plantagineum. The most intriguing observation is the strong conservation of repeat motifs in iea genes found across divers plant species including C . plantagineum and non-desiccation tolerant plants. This conservation of st ructural elements leads to speculations about. evolution of desiccation tol erance in the resurrection plant.