Antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) from polar fish are the most potent ice recrystallization (growth) inhibitors known, and synthetic mimics are required for low-temperature applications such as cell cryopreservation. Here we introduce facially amphipathic glycopolymers that mimic the three-dimensional structure of AFGPs. Glycopolymers featuring segregated hydrophilic and hydrophobic faces were prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and their rigid conformation was confirmed by small-angle neutron scattering. Ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity was reduced when a hydrophilic oxo-ether was installed on the glycan-opposing face, but significant activity was restored by incorporating a hydrophobic dimethylfulvene residue. This biomimetic strategy demonstrates that segregated domains of distinct hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity are a crucial motif to introduce IRI activity, which increases our understanding of the complex ice crystal inhibition processes.

中文翻译：

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面部两亲性糖聚合物抑制冰重结晶

极地鱼类的抗冻糖蛋白 (AFGP) 是已知的最有效的冰重结晶（生长）抑制剂，低温应用（如细胞冷冻保存）需要合成模拟物。在这里，我们介绍了模拟 AFGP 三维结构的面部两亲性糖聚合物。通过开环复分解聚合制备了具有分离的亲水和疏水面的糖聚合物，其刚性构象通过小角中子散射得到证实。当亲水性氧代醚安装在聚糖对面时，冰重结晶抑制 (IRI) 活性会降低，但通过加入疏水性二甲基富烯残基，显着的活性得​​以恢复。