[Antifreeze proteins and molecular genetic improvement in freezing resistance of plants]

Abstract

Over the past several years, the proteins and genes associated with freezing resistance and molecular genetic improvement in freezing resistance of plants have been widely studied. The recent progress of research made at home and abroad on low-temperature-induced proteins and antifreeze proteins (AFPs) with thermal hysteresis (THA) and the identification and expression regulation of low-temperature-induced genes are reviewed in this paper. Recent advances in the approaches of gene engineering that have been successfully taken in the molecular improvement of plant freezing resistance are also reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the transformation and expression of the freezing resistance genes cloned from overwintering insects, polar fishes and plant materials. Finally, some unsolved problems and the trend of research on physiological function and mechanism of AFPs, and the application of modern biotechnology to molecular improvement in freezing resistance of plants are discussed.