Publication Date
8-2024
Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)
5-17-2024
Type of Culminating Activity
Thesis
Degree Title
Master of Science in Biomolecular Sciences
Department Filter
Biology
Department
Biological Sciences
Supervisory Committee Chair
Konrad Meister, Ph.D.
Supervisory Committee Member
Daniel Fologea, Ph.D.
Supervisory Committee Member
Oliviero Andreussi, Ph.D.
Abstract
Cold-adapted organisms use antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) to enable survival in freezing habitats. AF(G)Ps have been proposed to prevent leakage of intracellular metabolites by stabilizing cellular membranes, a property that could be of great physiological and biomedical relevance. The generality of this effect is not understood, and for the known examples of membrane leakage prevention by AF(G)Ps, the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of different AFPs on the leakage of ions and dyes from model membrane systems. We find that leakage is best prevented by AFGPs, while insect AFPs showed negligible effects. The reduction of antifreeze activities of AFGPs further showed no effect on membrane leakage inhibition activities. Thus, the ability to stabilize membranes through phase transitions is not an intrinsic property of AF(G)Ps, and the interactions proceed through protein-specific mechanisms that are decoupled from general antifreeze activities.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2255.boisestate
Recommended Citation
Vernon, Emily, "Effects of Antifreeze Proteins on Lipid Membrane Stabilization at Cold Temperatures" (2024). Boise State University Theses and Dissertations. 2255.
https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2255.boisestate
