Predicted 3D structure of an ice-binding protein (IBP) from the enoki mushroom Flammulina populicola. Like IBPs found in other organisms exposed to cold temperatures, this protein* is able to cling to ice crystals – it may therefore be preventing cell damage by inhibiting crystal growth.
Enoki mushrooms are not only a delicacy in Asian cuisine, they also survive the coldest months of the year – hence their nickname: “winter mushrooms”.
The structure of the protein was inferred using the SWISS-MODEL protein structure homology modelling server – an SIB Resource celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2018. It is visualized using three different molecular representations.
* Explore the protein’s 3D structure at: swissmodel.expasy.org/repository/uniprot/B8XC03. Protein sequence and inferred function from: Raymond J. A. and Janech M. G. Ice-binding proteins from enoki and shiitake mushrooms. Cryobiology, 2009
