Chaperone that binds to RNA, single- (ssDNA) and double-stranded (dsDNA) DNA, and unwinds nucleic acid duplex. Accelerates seed germination and seedling growth under cold stress, and contributes to enhancement of cold and freezing tolerance. Regulates flowering transition, and flower and seed development. Promotes seed germination under salt stress. May regulate respiratory oxygen uptake. Mostly expressed in shoot apices, seeds and siliques, and, to a lower extent, in roots, cotyledons, stems, shoots, leaves, floral buds and flowers. Present in shoot apical meristems and siliques (at protein level). Active in meristematic tissues. During vegetative growth, expressed in root and shoot apical regions, leaves and roots primordia, root vascular cylinder and procambium. In reproductive organs, present in developing floral meristem, meristematic tissues of young flower buds, and placentae, pollen, ovules and seeds, mostly in embryos. High expression in the earliest stage of silique development, with a decrease during the middle stages of silique development and subsequently an increase during the later stages. In mature seeds, mostly localized in hypocotyl and radicule. During seed germination, first observed in the tip of the radicule and, upon opening of the cotyledons, expressed in the radicule and hypocotyl/radicule transition zone. Induced by abscisic acid (ABA), transiently by ethylene, salicylic acid and water fload, but down-regulated by dehydration stress. Accumulates during cold acclimation. Accumulation during silique development is AGL15-dependent. Early flowering, altered stamen number and impaired seed development. Belongs to the cold shock protein (CSP) family.