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Xiang H, Yang X, Ke L, Hu Y. The properties, biotechnologies, and applications of antifreeze proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 153:661-675. [PMID: 32156540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
By natural selection, organisms evolve different solutions to cope with extremely cold weather. The emergence of an antifreeze protein gene is one of the most momentous solutions. Antifreeze proteins possess an importantly functional ability for organisms to survive in cold environments and are widely found in various cold-tolerant species. In this review, we summarize the origin of antifreeze proteins, describe the diversity of their species-specific properties and functions, and highlight the related biotechnology on the basis of both laboratory tests and bioinformatics analysis. The most recent advances in the applications of antifreeze proteins are also discussed. We expect that this systematic review will contribute to the comprehensive knowledge of antifreeze proteins to readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xiang
- Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology
| | - Xiaohu Yang
- Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology
| | - Lei Ke
- Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology
| | - Yong Hu
- Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology.
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Kojić D, Purać J, Popović Ž, Pamer E, Grubor-Lajšić G. Importance of the Body Water Management for Winter Cold Survival of the European Corn BorerOstrinia NubilalisHübn. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2010.10817915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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3
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Calorimetric measurement of water transport and intracellular ice formation during freezing in cell suspensions. Cryobiology 2012; 65:242-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2012.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 05/13/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Hengherr S, Schill RO. Dormant stages in freshwater bryozoans--an adaptation to transcend environmental constraints. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 57:595-601. [PMID: 21439966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater invertebrates often disperse between discrete habitat patches via the production of dormant propagules. Being dispersed passively by animal vectors or wind, certain adaptations for exposures to terrestrial and aerial conditions like desiccation and freezing are required. In the present study, we investigate the mechanisms of survival and physiological adaptations due to desiccation and low temperatures in the statoblasts of two populations of the freshwater bryozoan Cristatella mucedo. Our results show that both sessoblasts and floatoblasts tolerate almost complete desiccation and subzero temperatures. Trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide which has been related to desiccation tolerance, was detected by amperometric chromatography. However, due to the low concentrations found, it is unlikely that trehalose is playing a major part in desiccation tolerance of bryozoan statoblasts. Vitrification is assumed to be important in the survival of desiccation tolerant organisms. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed thermal transitions (T(g) onset around 70°C) in desiccated statoblasts, indicating that a vitreous matrix is present. During the exposure to subzero temperatures, freeze tolerance of statoblasts was confirmed by the detection of internal ice formation, which took place at a crystallisation temperature of between -6°C and -12°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Hengherr
- Universität Stuttgart, Biological Institute, Zoology, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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Halberg KA, Persson D, Ramløv H, Westh P, Kristensen RM, Møbjerg N. Cyclomorphosis in Tardigrada: adaptation to environmental constraints. J Exp Biol 2009; 212:2803-11. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.029413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Tardigrades exhibit a remarkable resilience against environmental extremes. In the present study, we investigate mechanisms of survival and physiological adaptations associated with sub-zero temperatures and severe osmotic stress in two commonly found cyclomorphic stages of the marine eutardigrade Halobiotus crispae. Our results show that only animals in the so-called pseudosimplex 1 stage are freeze tolerant. In pseudosimplex 1, as well as active-stage animals kept at a salinity of 20 ppt, ice formation proceeds rapidly at a crystallization temperature of around –20°C,revealing extensive supercooling in both stages, while excluding the presence of physiologically relevant ice-nucleating agents. Experiments on osmotic stress tolerance show that the active stage tolerates the largest range of salinities. Changes in body volume and hemolymph osmolality of active-stage specimens (350–500 μm) were measured following salinity transfers from 20 ppt. Hemolymph osmolality at 20 ppt was approximately 950 mOsm kg–1. Exposure to hypo-osmotic stress in 2 and 10 ppt caused(1) rapid swelling followed by a regulatory volume decrease, with body volume reaching control levels after 48 h and (2) decrease in hemolymph osmolality followed by a stabilization at significantly lower osmolalities. Exposure to hyperosmotic stress in 40 ppt caused (1) rapid volume reduction, followed by a regulatory increase, but with a new steady-state after 24 h below control values and (2) significant increase in hemolymph osmolality. At any investigated external salinity, active-stage H. crispaehyper-regulate, indicating a high water turnover and excretion of dilute urine. This is likely a general feature of eutardigrades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Agerlin Halberg
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, August Krogh Building,Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Dennis Persson
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, August Krogh Building,Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, Zoological Museum, Invertebrate Department,Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Hans Ramløv
- Department of Nature, Systems and Models, University of Roskilde,Universitetsvej 1, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Peter Westh
- Department of Nature, Systems and Models, University of Roskilde,Universitetsvej 1, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Reinhardt Møbjerg Kristensen
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, Zoological Museum, Invertebrate Department,Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Nadja Møbjerg
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, August Krogh Building,Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Amornwittawat N, Wang S, Banatlao J, Chung M, Velasco E, Duman JG, Wen X. Effects of polyhydroxy compounds on beetle antifreeze protein activity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2009; 1794:341-6. [PMID: 19038370 PMCID: PMC4869536 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2008.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2008] [Revised: 10/17/2008] [Accepted: 10/23/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) noncolligatively depress the nonequilibrium freezing point of a solution and produce a difference between the melting and freezing points termed thermal hysteresis (TH). Some low-molecular-mass solutes can affect the TH values. The TH enhancement effects of selected polyhydroxy compounds including polyols and carbohydrates on an AFP from the beetle Dendroides canadensis were systematically investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The number of hydroxyl groups dominates the molar enhancement effectiveness of polyhydroxy compounds having one to five hydroxyl groups. However, the above rule does not apply for polyhydroxy compounds having more than five hydroxyl groups. The most efficient polyhydroxy enhancer identified is trehalose. In a combination of enhancers the strongest enhancer plays the major role in determining the TH enhancement. Mechanistic insights into identification of highly efficient AFP enhancers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natapol Amornwittawat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Sen Wang
- Molecular Imaging Program, 318 Campus Drive, Clark E 150, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joseph Banatlao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Melody Chung
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Efrain Velasco
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - John G. Duman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Xin Wen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
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Abstract
Exposure of living organisms to open space requires a high level of tolerance to desiccation, cold, and radiation. Among animals, only anhydrobiotic species can fulfill these requirements. The invertebrate phylum Tardigrada includes many anhydrobiotic species, which are adapted to survive in very dry or cold environmental conditions. As a likely by-product of the adaptations for desiccation and freezing, tardigrades also show a very high tolerance to a number of other, unnatural conditions, including exposure to ionizing radiation. This makes tardigrades an interesting candidate for experimental exposure to open space. This paper reviews the tolerances that make tardigrades suitable for astrobiological studies and the reported radiation tolerance in other anhydrobiotic animals. Several studies have shown that tardigrades can survive gamma-irradiation well above 1 kilogray, and desiccated and hydrated (active) tardigrades respond similarly to irradiation. Thus, tolerance is not restricted to the dry anhydrobiotic state, and I discuss the possible involvement of an efficient, but yet undocumented, mechanism for DNA repair. Other anhydrobiotic animals (Artemia, Polypedium), when dessicated, show a higher tolerance to gamma-irradiation than hydrated animals, possibly due to the presence of high levels of the protective disaccharide trehalose in the dry state. Tardigrades and other anhydrobiotic animals provide a unique opportunity to study the effects of space exposure on metabolically inactive but vital metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ingemar Jönsson
- Department of Mathematics and Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden.
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Kang SH, Joo HM, Park SI, Jung WS, Hong SS, Seo KW, Jeon MS, Choi HG, Kim HJ. Cryobiological Perspectives on the Cold Adaptation of Polar Organisms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.4217/opr.2007.29.3.263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Wharton DA, Barrett J, Goodall G, Marshall CJ, Ramløv H. Ice-active proteins from the Antarctic nematode Panagrolaimus davidi. Cryobiology 2005; 51:198-207. [PMID: 16102742 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2005.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2005] [Revised: 06/29/2005] [Accepted: 07/04/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Antarctic nematode Panagrolaimus davidi has an ice-active protein that shows recrystallization inhibition but no thermal hysteresis. It belongs to a class of ice-active proteins found in a variety of freezing-tolerant organisms that display insignificant levels of thermal hysteresis in the context of the environmental temperatures to which they are exposed. The recrystallization inhibition activity of the P. davidi ice-active protein is present at low concentrations, is relatively heat stable, is affected more by acid than by alkaline pH, is not calcium dependant and is not affected by reagents that target carbohydrate residues or sulphydryl linkages. A hexagonal ice crystal growth form also indicates the presence of an ice-active protein. This protein could have important functions in the survival of intracellular freezing by this organism by controlling the stability of ice after its formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Wharton
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Wharton DA, Downes MF, Goodall G, Marshall CJ. Freezing and cryoprotective dehydration in an Antarctic nematode (Panagrolaimus davidi) visualised using a freeze substitution technique. Cryobiology 2005; 50:21-8. [PMID: 15710366 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2004.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2004] [Revised: 09/21/2004] [Accepted: 09/22/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The pattern of ice formation during the freezing of Panagrolaimus davidi, an Antarctic nematode that can survive intracellular ice formation, was visualised using a freeze substitution technique and transmission electron microscopy. Nematodes plunged directly into liquid nitrogen had small ice crystals throughout their tissues, including nuclei and organelles, but did not survive. Those frozen at high subzero temperatures showed three patterns of ice formation: no ice, extracellular ice, and intracellular ice. Nematodes subjected to a slow-freezing regime (at -1 degrees C) had mainly extracellular ice (70.4%), with the bulk of the ice in the pseudocoel. Some (24.8%) had no ice within their bodies, due to cryoprotective dehydration. Nematodes subjected to a fast-freezing regime (at -4 degrees C) had intracellular (54%) and extracellular (42%) ice. Intracellular ice was confined to the cytoplasm of cells, with organelles in the spaces in between ice crystals. The survival of nematodes subjected to the fast-freezing regime (53%) was less than those subjected to the slow-freezing regime (92%).
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Wharton
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Novak T, Lipovšek S, Senčič L, Pabst MA, Janžekovič F. Adaptations in phalangiid harvestmen Gyas annulatus and G. titanus to their preferred water current adjacent habitats. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2004.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Wharton DA. The environmental physiology of Antarctic terrestrial nematodes: a review. J Comp Physiol B 2003; 173:621-8. [PMID: 14615899 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-003-0378-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The environmental physiology of terrestrial Antarctic nematodes is reviewed with an emphasis on their cold-tolerance strategies. These nematodes are living in one of the most extreme environments on Earth and face a variety of stresses, including low temperatures and desiccation. Their diversity is low and declines with latitude. They show resistance adaptation, surviving freezing and desiccation in a dormant state but reproducing when conditions are favourable. At high freezing rates in the surrounding medium the Antarctic nematode Panagrolaimus davidi freezes by inoculative freezing but can survive intracellular freezing. At slow freezing rates this nematode does not freeze but undergoes cryoprotective dehydration. Cold tolerance may be aided by rapid freezing, the production of trehalose and by an ice-active protein that inhibits recrystallisation. P. davidi relies on slow rates of water loss from its habitat, and can survive in a state of anhydrobiosis, perhaps aided by the ability to synthesise trehalose. Teratocephalus tilbrooki and Ditylenchus parcevivens are fast-dehydration strategists. Little is known of the osmoregulatory mechanisms of Antarctic nematodes. Freezing rates are likely to vary with water content in Antarctic soils. Saturated soils may produce slow freezing rates and favour cryoprotective dehydration. As the soil dries freezing rates may become faster, favouring freezing tolerance. When the soil dries completely the nematodes survive anhydrobiotically. Terrestrial Antarctic nematodes thus have a variety of strategies that ensure their survival in a harsh and variable environment. We need to more fully understand the conditions to which they are exposed in Antarctic soils and to apply more natural rates of freezing and desiccation to our studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Wharton
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Abstract
The ecophysiology of cold tolerance in many terrestrial invertebrate animals is based on water and its activity at low temperatures, affecting cell, tissue and whole organism functions. The normal body water content of invertebrates varies from 40 to 90% of their live weight, which is influenced by water in their immediate environment, especially in species with a water vapour permeable cuticle. Water gain from, or loss to, the surrounding atmosphere may affect animal survival, but under sub-zero conditions body water status becomes more critical for overwinter survival in many species. Water content influences the supercooling capacity of many insects and other arthropods. Trehalose is known to maintain membrane integrity during desiccation stress in several taxa. Dehydration affects potential ice nucleators by reducing or masking their activity and a desiccation protection strategy has been detected in some species. When water crystallises to ice in an animal it greatly influences the physiology of nearby cells, even if the cells remain unfrozen. A proportion of body water remains unfrozen in many cold hardened invertebrates when they are frozen, which allows basal metabolism to continue at a low level and aids recovery to normal function when thawing occurs. About 22% of total body water remains unfrozen from calculations using differential scanning calorimetry (compared with ca 19% in food materials). The ratio of unfrozen to frozen water components in insects is 1:4 (1:6 for foods). Such unfrozen water may aid recovery of freezing tolerant species after a freezing exposure. Rapid changes in cold hardiness of some arthropods may be brought about by subtle shifts in body water management. It is recognised that cold tolerance strategies of many invertebrates are related to desiccation resistance, and possibly to mechanisms inherent in insect diapause, but the role of water is fundamental to them all. Detailed experimental studies are needed to provide information which will allow a more complete and coherent understanding of the behaviour of water in biological systems and aid the cryopreservation of a wide range of biological material.
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Abstract
Anisakis third stage larvae utilize a variety of fish as intermediate hosts. Uncooked fish are rendered safe for human consumption by freezing. Larvae freeze by inoculative freezing from the surrounding medium but can survive freezing at temperatures down to -10 degrees C. This ability may be aided by the production of trehalose, which can act as a cryoprotectant, but does not involve recrystallization inhibition. Monitoring of fish freezing in commercial blast freezers and under conditions which simulate those of a domestic freezer, indicate that it can take a long time for all parts of the fish to reach a temperature that will kill the larvae. This, and the moderate freezing tolerance of larvae, emphasizes the need for fish to be frozen at a low enough temperature and for a sufficient time to ensure that fish are safe for consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Wharton
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Liu XH, Zhang T, Rawson DM. Differential scanning calorimetry studies of intraembryonic freezing and cryoprotectant penetration in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. THE JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY 2001; 290:299-310. [PMID: 11479909 DOI: 10.1002/jez.1060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Nucleation temperatures of intraembryonic water and cryoprotectant penetration in zebrafish embryos were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of embryo developmental stage, dechorionation, partial removal of yolk, cooling rate, and cryoprotectant treatment on the temperatures of intraembryonic freezing were investigated. Embryo stages were found to have a significant effect on the nucleation temperatures of intact embryos. Freeze onset temperatures of -11.9 +/- 1.5, -15.6 +/- 0.3, and -20.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C were obtained for intact embryos at 6-somite, prim-6, and high-pec stages, respectively. After dechorionation, the freeze onset temperatures of intraembryonic water shifted to significantly lower temperatures, being -23.5 +/- 0.8, -18.7 +/- 0.7, -24.9 +/- 0.8 degrees C for 6-somite, prim-6, and high-pec stages, respectively. Yolk-reduced high-pec stage embryos showed significantly lower nucleation temperatures with an average onset at -27.9 +/- 0.4 degrees C. The effect of cryoprotectant treatment on the nucleation temperatures of intraembryonic water varies among different embryo stages and different cryoprotectants. Thirty-minute treatment with 2 M methanol significantly decreased the nucleation temperatures of dechorionated 6-somite embryos whilst no temperature decrease was observed for prim-6 or yolk-reduced high-pec embryos. Thirty-minute exposure to 1 M propylene glycol did not significantly affect the nucleation temperatures of dechorionated 6-somite, prim-6, or yolk-reduced high-pec embryos. In order to increase the permeability of embryos to cryoprotectants, the yolk sacs of dechorionated embryos at 6-somite or prim-6 embryos were punctured with a sharp micro-needle before exposure to cryoprotectants. The punctured prim-6 embryos showed significantly lower temperatures of intraembryonic freezing after 30 min of exposure to 2 M methanol following the multi-punctures. The nucleation temperatures of punctured 6-somite or prim-6 embryos were also decreased significantly after exposure to 1 M propylene glycol for 30 min. These results suggested that in intact embryos, intraembryonic freezing appeared to be seeded by the external ice in the perivitelline fluid and that in dechorionated embryos (in the absence of external water) intraembryonic freezing was more likely a consequence of heterogeneous nucleation. Methanol was demonstrated to show a limited degree of penetration into prim-6 stage embryos, but it did not penetrate later-stage embryos such as prim-6 and yolk-reduced high-pec. No propylene glycol permeation was observed for embryos at all stages. However, multi-punctures of yolk resulted in the permeation of both cryoprotectants into prim-6 embryos and propylene glycol permeation into 6-somite embryos. These findings may have important implications in overcoming the problem associated with the low membrane permeability of zebrafish embryos to cryoprotectants.
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Affiliation(s)
- X H Liu
- The Research Centre, University of Luton, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 5DU, United Kingdom
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