Interaction of antifreeze proteins with water

Antifreeze proteins and antifreeze glycoproteins (AF(G)Ps) enable the survival of various cold-adapted organisms in freezing and subfreezing habitats by preventing the macroscopic growth of ice crystals. Regardless of their great structural diversity are all AF(G)Ps capable to adhere to growing ice crystals, a quality that is essential for their biological functions. Despite commercial interest and significant scientific breakthroughs has the precise working mechanism of antifreeze proteins not yet been unraveled. In this chapter we highlight the latest state-of-the art experimental and theoretical antifreeze protein research on the solution behavior of AF(G)Ps and their interaction with the solvent. Protein-water interactions are of general interest owing to the importance of protein hydration for the structure, stability, and activity of almost all proteins. We focus in particular on the direct interaction of AF(G)Ps with water and its role in the working mechanism of these unique proteins.