An ice-binding protein from an Arctic population of American dunegrass, Leymus mollis [version 2; peer review: 3 approved]

• Published in: F1000Research
• Main Authors: Todd L. Sformo, James A. Raymond
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2020
• Subjects: Medicine; R; Science; Q; Arctic; Arctic Population
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.24328.2; https://doaj.org/article/e50049b1021a4e55b0f63a32cc9ae6a1

Several cold-hardy grasses have been shown to have ice-binding proteins (IBPs) that protect against freeze-thaw injury. Here, we looked for IBP activity in an Alaskan coastal grass, Leymus mollis (Pooidae), that had not previously been examined. Rhizome tissue had strong ice-structuring and ice recrystallization inhibiting (IRI) activities, indicating the probable presence of IBPs. The gene sequence of an IBP was obtained. The sequence encoded a 118-amino acid IRI domain composed of eight repeats and that was 80% identical to the IRI domain of the IBP of perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne. The predicted 3D structure of the IRI domain had eight beta-roll coils like those in L. perenne IBP