Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are a group of abundantly expressed small basic proteins, which can reversibly bind and transport hydrophobic molecules in vitro. Nine types of nsLTP have been identified from a variety of plants. All the type of nsLTPs possesses the conserved eight cysteine residue motif with a three-dimensional structure of an internal hydrophobic cavity and the lipid binding site. Based on the growing knowledge about the structure, gene expression, regulation and in vitro activity, nsLTPs are considered to play a role in key processes of plant physiology, including wax synthesis and transport, abiotic stress resistance, disease resistance, and plant reproduction. This review aims at presenting comprehensive information of key topics, including basic features, classification, gene cloning, expression profiles, and functional studies of nsLTP. Finally the perspectives were included on the future study of nsLTP family.
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