The role of hemolymph proteins in the cold tolerance of insects
- Author:
-
Duman, J., Horwath, K.
- Title:
- The role of hemolymph proteins in the cold tolerance of insects
- Periodical:
- Annual Review of Physiology
- Year:
- 1993
- Volume:
- 45
- Pages:
- 261-270
- Subject:
-
Insects alpine climate
- Summary:
- During the winter, many insects produce high concentrations of polyhydroxy alcohols that function either as cryoprotectants in freeze-tolerant insects or as antifreezes in freeze-susceptible species. However, found in a number of overwintering insects were hemolymph proteins. These proteins produce a thermal hysteresis that is similar to that of the antifreeze proteins and glycoproteins of polar marine teleost fishes. In addition, the hemolymph of many freeze-tolerant insects contains ice nucleating proteins that inhibit supercooling. This ensures that ice will form in the extracellular fluid of the insect at comparatively high temperatures and minimizes the formation of lethal intracellular ice. As a result, hemolymph proteins and their role in insect cold tolerance are reviewed in this document.
- Label:
- Insects
- Date:
- 1993
- Collection:
- Periodicals