Investigating Small Amine Molecules as Ice Recrystallization Inhibitors

Abstract

Cryopreservation is a technique used to store cells and tissues for long time. It requires the addition of a cryoprotectant, which prevents damage to cells caused by the formation of large ice crystals. Few compounds have been classified as cryprotectants, and some of them are very toxic like DMSO. Our lab is interested in the synthesis of small, non-toxic cryoprotectants that possess ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity. Much attention has been drawn towards small molecules that contain an amine group because they have some activity towards inhibiting ice recrystallization. Herein we have examined few monoamine and diamine molecules as well as PAMAM dendrimer for IRI activity. Some of the small molecules tested contain an aryl ring, and we found that changing the position of groups around the ring can have some impact in the IRI activity. We have also found that increasing the number of amines in a molecule can have little effect of the IRI activity. It is hoped that these findings can open new doors for further investigation in small amino molecules and the development of novel cryoprotectants. Corticosteroids were first identified and isolated from both teleost and elasmobranch fish. Corticosterone and cortisol were measurable in the plasma of elasmobranchs and 1α-hydroxycorticosterone (1α-OH-B) was the dominant corticosteroid produced by the internal tissue. Limited amount of 1α-OH-B was synthesized because available supplies were exhausted in the early 1990s. Synthetic 1α-OH-B was used in steroid receptor studies to examine the evolution of the corticosteroid receptor system and measure stress levels.