A cold-regulated gene whose product is targeted to the chloroplast. Cor15am protects stromal proteins from aggregation under various stress conditions. Constitutive expression increases freezing tolerance in protoplasts in vitro and chloroplasts in vivo. NMR and x-ray diffraction studies suggest that COR15a alters the intrinsic curvature of the inner membrane of chloroplast envelope. Late Embryogenesis abundant protein (LEA). Protects chloroplast membranes during freezing.