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Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) or ice structuring proteins refer to a class of polypeptides produced by certain animals, ... This is an example of a proto-ORF model, a ...
A cryoprotectant is a substance used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage (i.e. that due to ice formation). Arctic and Antarctic insects, fish and amphibians create cryoprotectants (antifreeze compounds and antifreeze proteins) in their bodies to minimize freezing damage during cold winter periods.
Antifreeze proteins bind to small ice crystals to inhibit growth and recrystallization of ice that would otherwise be fatal. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Cryoprotectants are commonly used in cryobiology to prevent or inhibit freezing in sperm, blood, stem cells, plant seeds, etc. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerol (all used in ...
Within the apoplast, antifreeze proteins localize the growth of ice crystals by ice nucleators in order to prevent physical damage to tissues and to promote supercooling within freezing-sensitive tissues and cells. Osmotic stress, including dehydration, high salinity, as well as treatment with abscisic acid, can also enhance freezing tolerance.
Antifreeze proteins are also synthesized to keep psychrophiles' internal space liquid, and to protect their DNA when temperatures drop below water's freezing point. By doing so, the protein prevents any ice formation or recrystallization process from occurring.
Whereas most insect antifreeze proteins contain cysteines at least every sixth residue, as well as varying numbers of 12- or 13-mer repeats of 8.3-12.5kDa, [4] RiAFP is notable for containing only one disulfide bridge. This property of RiAFP makes it particularly attractive for recombinant expression and biotechnological applications.
This species and other species in the Trematomus genus have two antifreeze proteins (AFPs): antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) and antifreeze potentiating proteins (AFPPs). These AFPs absorb to internal ice crystals that would inhibit growth and lower the freezing point of these species’ blood to below the freezing point of the surrounding ...
For example, the haemolymph of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor contains a family of such proteins. [20] A seasonal photoperiodic timing mechanism is responsible for increasing the antifreeze protein levels with concentrations reaching their highest in the winter.