Ice Surface Reconstruction as Antifreeze Protein-Induced Morphological Modification Mechanism

Abstract

The crystal growth process by which fish antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) modify the ice morphology is analyzed in the AFP-ice system. A newly identified AFP-induced surface reconstruction mechanism enables one-dimensional helical and irregular globular ice binding surfaces to stabilize secondary, kinetically less stable ice surfaces with variable face indices. Not only are the relative growth rates controlled by the IBS engagement but also the secondary face indices themselves become adjusted in the process of maximizing the AFP-substrate interaction, through attaining the best structural match. The theoretical formulation leads to comprehensive agreement with experiment.

Simulating vapour growth morphology of crystalline urea using modified attachment energy model

“…At this point we wish to note that there exists a parallelism between molecular layer considered in this paper and the PBC in Refs. [4,13,14]. For example, both layers 'A' and 'B' in (001), (101), (110) and (111) faces have different molecular orientations and according to the classification made by the PBC theory, they are characterised as F(flat)-faces.…”

“…We note here that in a series of papers by Strom [13] a graph theoretic approach has been utilised to develop the modern version of the HP model, which indirectly takes into account surface relaxation on growth morphology. In addition the PBC approach has also been used to study the influence of additives such as antifreeze proteins on the habit of crystals [14].…”

Crystal Structure and Mutational Analysis of Ca2+-Independent Type II Antifreeze Protein from Longsnout Poacher, Brachyopsis rostratus

“…In addition, Strom et al have pointed out that secondary pyramidal (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) planes are not crystallographically valid and cannot be stabilized kinetically by AFP. 62 It is difficult to prove the correctness of this model. Additional studies, such as molecular dynamics simulations, are required to refine the interaction between ice and the Ca 2+ -independent type II AFP.…”

Design and Synthesis of Antifreeze Glycoproteins and Mimics

“…[30] This solution structure, and clear evidence for the important role of hydrophobic inter- [16,26,[61][62] has refocused attention on understanding the possible role of hydrophobicity in the mechanism of action of AFGPs. Of particular note is the high prevalence of Ala and Thr residues in both type I AFPs [16] and AFGPs.…”