Beyond the ice-binding: antifreeze proteins control nucleoside crystal growth

What is it about?

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are often called ice-binding proteins and are thought to bind to ice or ice-like crystals exclusively to control their growth. Here molecular recognition repertoire of AFPs has been greatly expanded to other hydroxyl containing, non-ice like compounds. The inhibitory and habit-modifying effects of AFPs on the stable nuclei formation and on the crystals of nucleosides have been first demonstrated.

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Why is it important?

The crystal recognition repertoire of antifreeze proteins (AFPs) has been first expanded beyond ice and ice-like crystals and the effects of AFPs on the non-ice like crystal growth are highly efficient, compared with those of other additives on crystal growth control. The finding greatly facilitates the use of AFPs in a wider range of industrial fields, such as pharmaceutical development, materials, and foods.