Secreted heat soluble protein acting as a molecular shield in water-deficient condition (PubMed:28306513). Tardigrade-specific intrinsically disordered proteins (TDPs) are essential for desiccation tolerance by forming non-crystalline amorphous solids upon desiccation, and this vitrified state mirrors their protective capabilities (PubMed:28306513). Expression is highly induced during desiccation (PubMed:28306513). SAHS-c1, SAHS-c2 and SAHS-c3 are 3 highly conserved regions within the SAHS protein family (By similarity). Results in a significant decrease in survival after desiccation but does not affect survival under frozen conditions (PubMed:28306513). Trehalose, a disaccharide essential for several organisms to survive drying, is detected at low levels or not at all in some tardigrade species, indicating that tardigrades possess potentially novel mechanisms for surviving desiccation involving tardigrade-specific intrinsically disordered proteins (TDPs) (PubMed:28306513). Belongs to the Secretory-abundant heat soluble protein (SAHS) family.