A COLD-REGULATED ARABIDOPSIS GENE ENCODES A POLYPEPTIDE HAVING POTENT CRYOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY

We previously showed that cor15, a cold-regulated gene from Arabidopsis thaliana, encodes a 15 kDa polypeptide designated COR15. Here we report that COR15 has potent cryoprotective activity in an in vitro cryoprotection assay. Specifically, COR15 was very effective in protecting the cold-labile enzyme lactate dehydrogenase against freeze-inactivation; on a concentration basis, it was about 106 times more effective than sucrose and 102-103 times more effective than other proteins including bovine serum albumin. The possible role of cor15 in cold acclimation is discussed. © 1992 Academic Press, Inc.