Lea proteins are late embryonic proteins abundant in higher plant seed embryos. It may have a role in desiccation tolerance by acting as an osmoprotective protein or as a desiccation-damage repair protein. Embryos and young seedlings. Most abundant just before terminal desiccation of the embryo. By abscisic acid (ABA), osmotic stress and salt. Belongs to the small hydrophilic plant seed protein family.