The bugs that came in from the cold: molecular adaptations to low temperatures in insects |
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| Authors: | D Doucet V K Walker W Qin |
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| Institution: | (1) Canadian Forest Service, 1219 Queen St. East, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A 2E5, Canada;(2) Departments of Biology, and Microbiology and Immunology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada;(3) Biorefining Research Initiative and Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada |
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| Abstract: | The widespread distribution of insects over many ecological niches is a testimony to their evolutionary success. The colonization
of environments at high latitudes or altitudes required the evolution of biochemical strategies that reduced the impact of
cold or freezing stress. This review focuses on our current interests in some of the genes and proteins involved in low temperature
survival in insects. Although the most widespread form of protection is the synthesis of low molecular weight polyol cryoprotectants,
proteins with intrinsic protective properties, such as the thermal hysteresis or antifreeze proteins are also important. These
have been cloned and characterized in certain moths and beetles. Molecular techniques allowing the isolation of genes differentially
regulated by low temperatures have revealed that heat shock proteins, cold stress proteins, membrane protectants, as well
as ice nucleators and other less well characterized proteins likely also play a role in cold hardiness.
Received 10 June 2008; received after revision 17 November 2008; accepted 18 November 2008 |
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| Keywords: | " target="_blank"> Insect cold hardening freeze tolerance freeze avoidance molecular adaptation |
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