Cryoprotectin: a plant lipid–transfer protein homologue that stabilizes membranes during freezing

Abstract

Plants from temperate and cold climates are able to increase their freezing tolerance during exposure to low non–freezing temperatures. It has been shown that several genes are induced in a coordinated manner during this process of cold acclimation. The functional role of most of the corresponding cold–regulated proteins is not yet known. We summarize our knowledge of those cold–regulated proteins that are able to stabilize membranes during a freeze–thaw cycle. Special emphasis is placed on cryoprotectin, a lipid–transfer protein homologue that was isolated from cold–acclimated cabbage leaves and that protects isolated chloroplast thylakoid membranes from freeze–thaw damage.