Oleosin

Oleosins are structural proteins found in oil bodies, a type of organelle found in plant cells. They are found in plant parts with high oil content that undergo extreme desiccation as part of their maturation process, and help stabilize the bodies.

Oleosins comprise of three parts. The N- and C-terminal domains are amphipathic, whereas the middle part is strongly hydrophobic. Models show oleosins having a hairpin-like hydrophobic shape that is inserted inside the triacylglyceride (TAG), while the hydrophilic parts are left outside oil bodies.

Oleosins have been found on oil bodies of seeds, tapetum cells, and pollen but not fruits. Instead of a stabilizer of oil bodies, oleosins are believe to be involved in water-uptaking of pollen on stigma.