Distribution and Characterization of Recrystallization Inhibitor Activity in Plant and Lichen Species from the UK and Maritime Antarctic

• Published in: Cryobiology Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 218 - 227
• Main Authors: Doucet, Charlotte J., Byass, Louise, Elias, Luisa, Worrall, Dawn, Smallwood, Maggie, Bowles, Dianna J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.05.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acclimatization; Analysis of complex biological substances; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; antarctic; Antarctic Regions; Antarctica; antifreeze protein; Biological and medical sciences; British Isles; cold acclimation; Cold Climate; Cryoprotective Agents - isolation & purification; Crystallization; Drug Stability; Freezing; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungal Proteins - isolation & purification; lichen; Lichens - chemistry; Lichens - growth & development; plant; Plant Development; Plant Proteins - isolation & purification; Plants - chemistry; Plants and fungi; Space life sciences; Sucrose; United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Europe; Antarctica; antifreeze protein; lichen; cold acclimation; antarctic; plant; Terrestrial environment; Monocotyledones; Cold; Bryophyta; Marine environment; Tissue extract; Plant; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Plant origin; Recrystallization; Lichenes; Spermatophyta; Cryoprotective agent; Inhibition; Antifreeze protein; Thallophyta; Adaptation
• ISSN: 0011-2240; 1090-2392
• DOI: 10.1006/cryo.2000.2241

Extracts from a range of evolutionarily diverse plant and lichen species from the UK and maritime Antarctic have been assayed for inhibition of ice recrystallization. Approximately 25% of overwintering UK species and all Antarctic species exhibited antifreeze activity when exposed to low temperature. Preliminary characterization of the active extracts has demonstrated that the molecules co-opted to antifreeze activity by different species are biochemically diverse.