Abstract
Antifreeze proteins (AFP) are a diverse family of molecules whose unusual properties include non‐colligative depression of the freezing temperature of water, and a yet unclear interaction with the cell membrane and function. To assess the neuroprotective effect of AFP type I / III we subjected rat hippocampal slices to deep hypothermic insult and measured cell survival with propidium iodide (PI) exclusion. Ionic currents (potassium channels, IH) were also measured with patch‐clamp electrodes. Our PI results demonstrate a significant protective effect of these proteins on neurons at deep hypothermic temperatures. While patch‐clamp recordings at 10°C, 18°C and 37°C in CA1 neurons in freshly made hippocampal slices revealed hyper‐polarization, consistent with enhanced potassium channel activity. These results suggest that AFP protected hippocampal neurons by influencing ionic flux across the cell membrane. The study provides new insight into the protective mechanism of action of these proteins and their function on neurons. This work was supported by the NIH GM52212.
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