Team:Mexico-UNAM-CINVESTAV/begin

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Another strategy that the eukaryotes use is to insert cholesterol molecules in the membrane, also the porkaryotes increased content of large lipid head groups. So the fluidity in both cases increase and the membrane does not become fragile and easy to break. (D’amico, ''et al.''; 2006)
Another strategy that the eukaryotes use is to insert cholesterol molecules in the membrane, also the porkaryotes increased content of large lipid head groups. So the fluidity in both cases increase and the membrane does not become fragile and easy to break. (D’amico, ''et al.''; 2006)
The last strategy, in which we are more interested, is the use of a group of singular proteins called Antifreeze Proteins, which are the model that we’re going to use. In our project, we are trying to combine two of the strategies that Nature has developed to overcome the problem of cell and tissue freezing.
The last strategy, in which we are more interested, is the use of a group of singular proteins called Antifreeze Proteins, which are the model that we’re going to use. In our project, we are trying to combine two of the strategies that Nature has developed to overcome the problem of cell and tissue freezing.
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Revision as of 04:58, 26 October 2010

The ice crystal formation are responsible of many problems in the world.
Cold environments and the ice crystal formation are responsible of many problems in the world. In agriculture it is estimated that from 5% to 15% of production global damage due by frost every year. This is because the formations of ice layers that prohibit the gas interchange of the plants. Some examples of these problems are the one that happened in the fruits of strawberry, grapes, orange plants, and cereals among others (Pankow; 1991).
The coffee is one of the most important plants in the economy of Mexico

One of the most affected crops in the agriculture of Mexico is coffee. The coffee harvested in Mexico has to be at altitudes between the 900m to 1800m above the sea level. Since coffee is one of the most important plants in Mexican economy, this is a problem we must address (de Camargo; 2008).


At low temperatures some basic cell functions stop working properly. For instance transport of intracellular molecules to the outside of the cell becomes lees eficient; rigidity of membranes increase; the molecular, genetic, and enzymatic kinetics slows down; and the nucleation of ice crystals in the cytoplasm, membrane, and extracellular medium (D’amico, et al.; 2006).


Trehalose.jpg
To avoid these problems, some organisms have developed different strategies.

To avoid these problems, some organisms have developed different strategies. Certain organisms, such as tardigrades and some fungi among others, use sugars, specially the disaccharide trehalose. This is beacause it stabilizes the enzymes, proteins and membranes dehydrated. The trehalose interferes in the formation of ice crystals in the lipid and protein binding (Leslie, et al.; 1995).


Other organisms developed diverse proteins that helps in the translation and transcription of the genome. Binding to the RNA or DNA and help them to transcribe or tanslate the information. (D’amico, et al.; 2006) This is the case of the Cold Shock Inducible Proteins (CSIP). These ones overexpressed when the cold shock begans and the bacteria is in the acclimation phase. It's like they are preparing the machinery to growth well at low temperature.


Another strategy that the eukaryotes use is to insert cholesterol molecules in the membrane, also the porkaryotes increased content of large lipid head groups. So the fluidity in both cases increase and the membrane does not become fragile and easy to break. (D’amico, et al.; 2006) The last strategy, in which we are more interested, is the use of a group of singular proteins called Antifreeze Proteins, which are the model that we’re going to use. In our project, we are trying to combine two of the strategies that Nature has developed to overcome the problem of cell and tissue freezing.



de Camargo, A. P. and de Camargo, M. B. P.; (2008); Frost in Coffee Crops: Frost Characteristics, Damaging Effects on Coffee and Alleviation Options, in Coffee: Growing, Processing, Sustainable Production: A Guidebook for Growers, Processors, Traders, and Researchers (ed J. N. Wintgens), Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Germany. doi: 10.1002/9783527619627.ch11

D’amico, Salvino, et al; (2006); Psychrophilic microorganisms: challenges for life; European Molecular Biology Organization Vol.7 No. 4 p 385-389[1]

Leslie Samuel B., et al; (1995); Trehalose and Sucrose Protect Both Membranes and Proteins in Intact Bacteria during Drying; Applied and Environmental Microbiology; Vol. 61, No. 10[2]

Pankow J. F.; (1991); Aquatic Chemistry Concept; EUA CRC Press LLC. p.683[3]