Many overwintering organisms produce antifreeze proteins (AFPs) that can be adsorbed onto the surface of ice crystals and modify their growth. These proteins show great diversity in structures, and they have been found in a variety of organisms. AFPs from insects have higher thermal hysteresis activity than other organisms. Recent studies revealed the structures of AFPs and put forward different ice-binding models. No mechanism, however, can apply to all antifreeze proteins and the molecular interaction between AFPs and ice are not accurately resolved. AFPs can be applied extensively to agriculture, aquaculture and low temperature storage of organs, tissues, as well as cells. To confer transgenic plant cold resistance application of AFPs is essential, while the expression and regulation of antifreeze gene need to be elucidated.