Xylomannan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Xylomannan is a newly discovered antifreeze molecule, found in the freeze-tolerant Alaskan beetle Upis ceramboides.[1] Unlike antifreeze proteins, xylomannan is not a protein. Instead, it is a combination of a sugar (saccharide) and a fatty acid that is found in cell membranes.[2] As such is expected to work in a different manner than AFPs. It is believed to work by incorporating itself directly into the cell membrane and preventing the freezing of water molecules within the cell.[3]
As of January 2012[update], it is unknown if xylomannan is found in other organisms, nor is it known exactly how it works.
[edit] References
- ^ Walters KR Jr, Serianni AS, Sformo T, Barnes BM, Duman JG (2009). "A nonprotein thermal hysteresis-producing xylomannan antifreeze in the freeze-tolerant Alaskan beetle Upis ceramboides". PNAS 106 (48): 20210–5. doi:10.1073/pnas.0909872106. PMC 2787118. PMID 19934038. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2787118.
- ^ Ishiwata A, Sakurai A, Nishimiya Y, Tsuda S, Ito Y. (2011 Dec 7). "Synthetic study and structural analysis of the antifreeze agent xylomannan from Upis ceramboides". J Am Chem Soc. 133 (48): 19524–35. PMID 22029271.
- ^ "New Antifreeze Molecule Isolated In Alaska Beetle - Science News - redOrbit". http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1799347/new_antifreeze_molecule_isolated_in_alaska_beetle/index.html?source=r_science/.
