Oleosins may have a structural role to stabilize the lipid body during desiccation of the seed by preventing coalescence of the oil. Probably interacts with both lipid and phospholipid moieties of lipid bodies. May also provide recognition signals for specific lipase anchorage in lipolysis during seedling growth. Oleosins also increase the viability of over-wintering oilseeds by preventing abnormal fusion of oil bodies during imbibition in the spring. Cellular localisation: surface of oil bodies.
