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The antifreeze potential of the spruce budworm thermal hysteresis protein

Nature Biotechnology volume 15, pages 887–890 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

Antifreeze proteins (AFP) inhibit ice growth by surface adsorption that results in a depression of the freezing point below the melting point. The maximum level of this thermal hysteresis shown by the four structurally unrelated fish AFP is approximately 1.5°C. In contrast, hemolymph and crude extracts from insects can have 5° to 10°C of thermal hysteresis. Based on the isolation, cloning, and expression of a thermal hysteresis protein (THP) from spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana), the vastly greater activity is attributable to a 9 kDa protein. This novel, threonine- and cysteine-rich THP has striking effects on ice crystal morphology, both before and during freezing. It is also 10 to 30 times more active than any known fish AFP, offering the prospect of superior antifreeze properties in cryoprotective applications.

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Author notes

  1. Virginia K. Walker: Corresponding author (e-mail: walkervk@biology.queensu.ca).

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6

    Michael G. Tyshenko, Daniel Doucet, Peter L. Davies & Virginia K. Walker

  2. Departments of Biochemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6

    Peter L. Davies

Authors
  1. Michael G. Tyshenko
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  2. Daniel Doucet
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  3. Peter L. Davies
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  4. Virginia K. Walker
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Tyshenko, M., Doucet, D., Davies, P. et al. The antifreeze potential of the spruce budworm thermal hysteresis protein. Nat Biotechnol 15, 887–890 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0997-887

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