Controls cuticle development and morphogenesis, by promoting cutin and suberin monomers loading (PubMed:16415209, PubMed:17257167, PubMed:18952782, PubMed:26990896). Involved in the regulation of abscissic acid (ABA) biosynthesis in response to osmotic stress. Plays an important role in osmotic stress and drought resistance (PubMed:21610183). Required to ensure a reduced permeability of aerial tissue, thus preventing transpiration (PubMed:18952782, PubMed:21610183, PubMed:26990896). Regulates lateral root hair development (PubMed:18952782). Required for infection by the pathogenic necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, probably by regulating structural traits of the cuticle. Polar localization with accumulation in epidermis outermost cell wall. Expressed exclusively in protodermal and epidermal cells of all organs, especially on adaxial sides. In germinating seed, present in the embryo epidermis, in cotyledons and in leaf primordia of the first true leaves. In cotyledons, mostly expressed in guard cells and vasculature. Observed in developing leaf buds, including the nodes and buds of cauline leaves (PubMed:26990896). In flowers, expressed in all organs, levels decreasing during flower aging. In the pistil, accumulates mostly in the abaxial epidermal cells, and, to a lower extent, in the septum and the inner ovary wall (PubMed:16415209, PubMed:26990896). Also expressed in the stigmatic papillae and vasculature of the sepals, petals and stamens. Accumulates in embryo during seed dehydration. Present in the central cylinder of the roots. In addition, detected in suberized tissues, such as siliques abscission zone and seed chalaza/micropyle region (PubMed:26990896). Induced by osmotic stress and abscissic acid (ABA). Defects characteristic of the loss of cuticle structure associated with an enhanced accumulation of cell wall-bound lipids and epicuticular waxes (PubMed:16415209, PubMed:17257167, PubMed:18952782, PubMed:26990896). Reduced expression of abscissic acid (ABA) biosynthesis genes (e.g. NCED3) in response to osmotic stress (e.g. polyethylene glycol) leading to reduced levels of ABA and high sensitivity to osmotic stress and drought, especially during seed germination and early seedling development (PubMed:21610183). Increased aerial tissue permeability to the toluidine blue (TB) dye (PubMed:18952782). Enhanced transpiration. Strong decrease in total cutin monomer load in young leaves and flowers. Reduced levels of suberin in roots (PubMed:26990896). Pleiotropic effect on growth, viability, and cell differentiation, leading to abnormalities such as long root hairs, excessively branched roots, shrinking of epidermal cells, and flattened/misshapen trichomes (PubMed:16415209). Strong increase of total lateral root lengths (TOT) on mild osmotic stress conditions (PubMed:18952782). Total immunity to the pathogenic necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea accompanied by the release of a fungitoxic activity and increased expression of defense genes (PubMed:17257167).