摘要 |
The present invention provides inter alia, isolated "sculpin-type intracellular AFPs" from shorthorn sculpin and their corresponding nucleic acids. The sculpin-type intracellular AFPs are alanine-rich polypeptides that are synthesized in the peripheral tissues such as the skin and gills of fish. These skin-type AFPs are encoded by a distinct set of AFP genes that lack a signal peptide, which is indicative of their intracellular location. The polypeptides are used to make cells cold resistant and to improve the palatability of cold foods and liquids. Cold resistant eukaryotes and prokaryotes, including plants, animals and bacteria are made using the sculpin-type intracellular antifreeze polypeptides and nucleic acids. Moreover, the present invention provides methods for preserving cells, tissues and organs ex vivo using the AFPs described herein. |