Figure 5.

Binding of DHNs to membrane phospholipids. The unstructured DHNs that are synthesized during an abiotic stress in the cytoplasm move close to the cell membranes. Through their phospholipid binding property, the unstructured DHNs bind to the membrane’s anionic phospholipids, attain a helical structure, and generate stress responses. The stress responses include structured DHNs that bind to other stress-sensitive protein molecules and protect them from the damage caused by the stress.