Concentration-dependent oligomerization of an alpha-helical antifreeze polypeptide makes it hyperactive

Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 13:7:42501. doi: 10.1038/srep42501.

Abstract

A supersoluble 40-residue type I antifreeze protein (AFP) was discovered in a righteye flounder, the barfin plaice (bp). Unlike all other AFPs characterized to date, bpAFP transitions from moderately-active to hyperactive with increasing concentration. At sub-mM concentrations, bpAFP bound to pyramidal planes of ice to shape it into a bi-pyramidal hexagonal trapezohedron, similarly to the other moderately-active AFPs. At mM concentrations, bpAFP uniquely underwent further binding to the whole ice crystal surface including the basal planes. The latter caused a bursting ice crystal growth normal to c-axis, 3 °C of high thermal hysteresis, and alteration of an ice crystal into a smaller lemon-shaped morphology, all of which are well-known properties of hyperactive AFPs. Analytical ultracentrifugation showed this activity transition is associated with oligomerization to form tetramer, which might be the forerunner of a naturally occurring four-helix-bundle AFP in other flounders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / chemistry
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antifreeze Proteins / chemistry*
  • Antifreeze Proteins / immunology*
  • Fish Proteins / chemistry
  • Fish Proteins / immunology
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / immunology*
  • Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical*
  • Protein Multimerization*
  • Protein Stability
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antifreeze Proteins
  • Fish Proteins
  • Peptides