Neofunctionalization of zona pellucida proteins enhances freeze-prevention in the eggs of Antarctic notothenioids

Lixue Cao, Qiao Huang, Zhichao Wu, Dong-dong Cao, Zhanling Ma, Qianghua Xu, Peng Hu, Yanxia Fu, Yu Shen, Jiulin Chan, Cong-zhao Zhou, Wanying Zhai and Liangbiao Chen ()
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Lixue Cao: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Qiao Huang: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Zhichao Wu: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Dong-dong Cao: School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China
Zhanling Ma: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Qianghua Xu: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Peng Hu: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Yanxia Fu: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Yu Shen: Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiulin Chan: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Cong-zhao Zhou: School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China
Wanying Zhai: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University
Liangbiao Chen: Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The mechanisms by which the eggs of the Antarctic notothenioid fishes avoid freezing are not fully understood. Zona pellucida proteins (ZPs) are constituents of the chorion which forms a protective matrix surrounding the egg. Here we report occurrence of freezing temperature-related gene expansion and acquisition of unusual ice melting-promoting (IMP) activity in a family of Antarctic notothenioid ZPs (AnnotoZPs). Members of AnnotoZPs are shown to bind with ice and non-colligatively depress the melting point of a solution in a range of 0.26 to 0.65 °C at a moderate concentration. Eggs of zebrafishes expressing an AnnotoZP transgene show improved melting point depression and enhanced survival in freezing conditions. Mutational analyses in a representative AnnotoZP indicate the ZP domain and patches of acidic residues are essential structures for the IMP activity. AnnotoZPs, therefore, represent a group of macromolecules that prevent freezing by a unique ZP–ice interaction mechanism distinct from the known antifreeze proteins.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12987

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