Local ice melting by an antifreeze protein
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-9-2012
Abstract
Antifreeze proteins, AFP, impede freezing of bodily fluids and damaging of cellular tissues by low temperatures. Adsorption-inhibition mechanisms have been developed to explain their functioning. Using in silico Molecular Dynamics, we show that type I AFP can also induce melting of the local ice surface. Simulations of antifreeze-positive and antifreeze-negative mutants show a clear correlation between melting induction and antifreeze activity. The presence of local melting adds a function to type I AFPs that is unique to these proteins. It may also explain some apparently conflicting experimental results where binding to ice appears both quasipermanent and reversible. (Graph Presented). © 2012 American Chemical Society.
Publication Title
Biomacromolecules
Recommended Citation
Calvaresi, M.,
Höfinger, S.,
&
Zerbetto, F.
(2012).
Local ice melting by an antifreeze protein.
Biomacromolecules,
13(7), 2046-2052.
http://doi.org/10.1021/bm300366f
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/7882