Applications of biological ice nucleators

Lundheim, Rolv; Zachariassen, Karl Erik

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-58607-1_20

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…While the physical process of ice nucleation is poorly understood [2], it is well documented that INPs play an important role in atmospheric processes by affecting the ratio of frozen to liquid droplets in clouds, which in turn affects Earth's radiation budget [3] and the formation of precipitation [4]. Some biological particles are particularly effective as INPs, inducing ice formation at temperatures ≥ −12 • C [5]; they have been found in clouds [6][7][8] and in precipitation [9][10][11]. While this suggests that biological particles may contribute to atmospheric processes, their relative contribution compared to inorganic particles, which are much less effective at ice nucleation but are present in clouds at much higher concentrations, is still unclear [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biological INPs are associated with bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen, lichen, and marine organics [5,13]. Bacterial INPs produced by strains in the Gram-negative bacterial genera of Pseudomonas, Pantoea, and Xanthomonas depend on homologs of the InaZ protein, which is associated with either the outer cell wall or with secreted vesicles [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identification of Candidate Ice Nucleation Activity (INA) Genes in Fusarium avenaceum by Combining Phenotypic Characterization with Comparative Genomics and Transcriptomics

Yang

Rojas

Coleman

et al. 2022

JoF

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Ice nucleation activity (INA) is the capacity of certain particles to catalyze ice formation at temperatures higher than the temperature at which pure water freezes. INA impacts the ratio of liquid to frozen cloud droplets and, therefore, the formation of precipitation and Earth’s radiative balance. Some Fusarium strains secrete ice-nucleating particles (INPs); they travel through the atmosphere and may thus contribute to these atmospheric processes. Fusarium INPs were previously found to consist of proteinaceous aggregates. Here, we determined that in F. avenaceum, the proteins forming these aggregates are smaller than 5 nm and INA is higher after growth at low temperatures and varies among strains. Leveraging these findings, we used comparative genomics and transcriptomics to identify candidate INA genes. Ten candidate INA genes that were predicted to encode secreted proteins were present only in the strains that produced the highest number of INPs. In total, 203 candidate INA genes coding for secreted proteins were induced at low temperatures. Among them, two genes predicted to encode hydrophobins stood out because hydrophobins are small, secreted proteins that form aggregates with amphipathic properties. We discuss the potential of the candidate genes to encode INA proteins and the next steps necessary to identify the molecular basis of INA in F. avenaceum.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Candidate Ice Nucleation Activity (INA) Genes in Fusarium avenaceum by Combining Phenotypic Characterization with Comparative Genomics and Transcriptomics

Yang

Rojas

Coleman

et al. 2022

JoF

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“…(If nothing else is indicated, protein molecular weights are given for SDS denatured proteins and is therefore not representative for the native size of nucleation sites. (Modi ed fromLundheim & Zachariassen 1999. ))…”

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confidence: 99%

Physiological and ecological significance of biological ice nucleators

Lundheim

2002

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B

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When a pure water sample is cooled it can remain in the liquid state at temperatures well below its melting point (0 degrees C). The initiation of the transition from the liquid state to ice is called nucleation. Substances that facilitate this transition so that it takes place at a relatively high sub-zero temperature are called ice nucleators. Many living organisms produce ice nucleators. In some cases, plausible reasons for their production have been suggested. In bacteria, they could induce frost damage to their hosts, giving the bacteria access to nutrients. In freeze-tolerant animals, it has been suggested that ice nucleators help to control the ice formation so that it is tolerable to the animal. Such ice nucleators can be called adaptive ice nucleators. There are, however, also examples of ice nucleators in living organisms where the adaptive value is difficult to understand. These ice nucleators might be structures with functions other than facilitating ice formation. These structures might be called incidental ice nucleators.

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“…Besides bacterial origins, potent ice nucleators have been found in a variety of other organisms such as insects, Bivalvia , Chilopoda , and algae . The applications of ice nucleators are ubiquitous and diverse, such as climate, cryobiology, chemical industry, agriculture, and materials science. − For example, one of the most widespread commercial uses of ice nucleators is to enhance the production of artificial snow and spray freezing. − Ice nucleators, especially bacterial origins, have been widely studied in food products to increase freeze–thaw resistance, modifying food texture, freeze concentration, and freeze-drying . In addition, inorganic and mineral particles ice nucleators have been applied and investigated in phase change materials to enhance ice nucleation .…”

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confidence: 99%

Cellulose Nanocrystals Facilitate Needle-like Ice Crystal Growth and Modulate Molecular Targeted Ice Crystal Nucleation

et al. 2021

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Ice nucleators are of crucial and important implications in various fields including chemistry, climate, agriculture, and cryobiology. However, the complicated extract and biocompatibility of ice nucleators remain unresolved, and the mechanism of ice nucleation remains largely unknown. Herein, we show that natural nanocrystalline cellulose materials possess special properties to enhance ice nucleation and facilitate needle-like ice crystal growth. We reveal the molecular level mechanism that the efficient exposure of cellulose hydroxyl groups on (−110) surface leads to faster nucleation of water. We further design chitosan-decorated cellulose nanocrystals to accomplish molecular cryoablation in CD 44 high-expression cells; the cell viability shows more than ∼10 times decrease compared to cryoablation alone and does not show evident systematic toxicity. Collectively, our findings also offer improved knowledge in molecular level ice nucleation, which may benefit multiple research communities and disciplines.

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Applications of biological ice nucleators

Cited by 7 publications

References 46 publications

Identification of Candidate Ice Nucleation Activity (INA) Genes in Fusarium avenaceum by Combining Phenotypic Characterization with Comparative Genomics and Transcriptomics

Identification of Candidate Ice Nucleation Activity (INA) Genes in Fusarium avenaceum by Combining Phenotypic Characterization with Comparative Genomics and Transcriptomics

Physiological and ecological significance of biological ice nucleators

Cellulose Nanocrystals Facilitate Needle-like Ice Crystal Growth and Modulate Molecular Targeted Ice Crystal Nucleation

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