A hyperactive, Ca2+-dependent antifreeze protein in an Antarctic bacterium

In cold climates, some plants and bacteria that cannot avoid freezing use antifreeze proteins (AFPs) to lessen the destructive effects of ice recrystallization. These AFPs have weak freezing point depression activity, perhaps to avoid sudden, uncontrolled growth of ice. Here, we report on an unchara...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:FEMS Microbiology Letters
Main Authors: Gilbert, Jack A., Davies, Peter L., Laybourn-Parry, Johanna
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press 2005
Subjects:
Articles
Antarctic
Antarc*
Online Access:http://femsle.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/245/1/67
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.femsle.2005.02.022
Description
Summary:In cold climates, some plants and bacteria that cannot avoid freezing use antifreeze proteins (AFPs) to lessen the destructive effects of ice recrystallization. These AFPs have weak freezing point depression activity, perhaps to avoid sudden, uncontrolled growth of ice. Here, we report on an uncharacteristically powerful bacterial AFP found in an Antarctic strain of the bacterium, Marinomonas primoryensis . It is Ca2+-dependent, shows evidence of cooperativity, and can produce over 2 °C of freezing point depression. Unlike most AFPs, it does not produce obvious crystal faceting during thermal hysteresis. This AFP might be capable of imparting freezing avoidance to M. primoryensis in ice-covered Antarctic lakes. A hyperactive bacterial AFP has not previously been reported.

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