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Nature Communications Jan 2024Plants usually produce defence metabolites in non-active forms to minimize the risk of harm to themselves and spatiotemporally activate these defence metabolites upon...
Plants usually produce defence metabolites in non-active forms to minimize the risk of harm to themselves and spatiotemporally activate these defence metabolites upon pathogen attack. This so-called two-component system plays a decisive role in the chemical defence of various plants. Here, we discovered that Panax notoginseng, a valuable medicinal plant, has evolved a two-component chemical defence system composed of a chloroplast-localized β-glucosidase, denominated PnGH1, and its substrates 20(S)-protopanaxadiol ginsenosides. The β-glucosidase and its substrates are spatially separated in cells under physiological conditions, and ginsenoside hydrolysis is therefore activated only upon chloroplast disruption, which is caused by the induced exoenzymes of pathogenic fungi upon exposure to plant leaves. This activation of PnGH1-mediated hydrolysis results in the production of a series of less-polar ginsenosides by selective hydrolysis of an outer glucose at the C-3 site, with a broader spectrum and more potent antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo than the precursor molecules. Furthermore, such β-glucosidase-mediated hydrolysis upon fungal infection was also found in the congeneric species P. quinquefolium and P. ginseng. Our findings reveal a two-component chemical defence system in Panax species and offer insights for developing botanical pesticides for disease management in Panax species.
Topics: Ginsenosides; Panax; beta-Glucosidase; Plants, Medicinal; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38238334
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44854-7 -
JAMA Jan 1980
Topics: Asia; Commerce; Panax; Plants, Medicinal; Terminology as Topic; United States
PubMed: 7350330
DOI: No ID Found -
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Aug 2020The P. binpinnatifidus complex included most of the Panax species distributed in Sino-Himalaya regions except for P. pseudoginseng, P. stipuleanatus and P. notoginseng....
The P. binpinnatifidus complex included most of the Panax species distributed in Sino-Himalaya regions except for P. pseudoginseng, P. stipuleanatus and P. notoginseng. However, the delimitation and identification of these taxa within the species complex are very difficult due to the existence of morphological intermediates, and their evolutionary relationships remain unresolved despite several studies have been carried out based on traditional DNA markers. The taxonomic uncertainty hinders the identification, conservation and exploration of these wild populations of Panax. To study this species complex, we employed ddRAD-seq data of these taxa from 18 different localities of southwestern China, using two RAD analysis pipelines, STACKS and pyRAD. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, the species complex was divided into four clades with high supports, which largely agreed with morphologically described species. Two clades, corresponding to P. vietnamensis and P. zingiberensis, respectively, were sister groups, indicating that these two species had a closer genetic relationship; the third clade was consisted of samples with bamboo-like rhizomes named as P. wangianus clade, and the fourth one with moniliform rhizomes was named as P. bipinnatifidus clade. The population genetic structure analysis and D-statistics test showed the localized admixture among these species, which indicated that introgression had occurred among the related lineages continuously distributed in southeastern Yunnan and adjacent regions.
Topics: China; Genetic Markers; Likelihood Functions; Panax; Phylogeny; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 32438045
DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106851 -
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo... Oct 2020Glycosyltransferases(UGTs) are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides, which can catalyze the transfer of glycans from donor molecules to acceptor molecules,... (Review)
Review
Glycosyltransferases(UGTs) are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides, which can catalyze the transfer of glycans from donor molecules to acceptor molecules, and form a variety of biologically active glycoside compounds. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, a large number of medicinal plant genome and transcriptome sequences have been catalyzed, while more and more UGT genes have been discovered and verified. The methods of discovering UGT genes include differential expression analysis, homologous sequence screening, gene cluster screening, chemical proteome screening. This paper summarized the research progress of UGT genes screening and functional verification of three valuable Panax medicinal materials P. notoginseng, P. ginseng, and P. quinquefolius, so as to provide a reference for the study of UGT genes in natural products.
Topics: Genome, Plant; Ginsenosides; Glycosyltransferases; Multigene Family; Panax; Panax notoginseng
PubMed: 33164420
DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200508.602 -
Journal of Separation Science Jan 2023Owing to increasing demand for Panax notoginseng-based medicines and health products, establishing a fast, simple, and reliable assay to analyze the chemical differences...
Owing to increasing demand for Panax notoginseng-based medicines and health products, establishing a fast, simple, and reliable assay to analyze the chemical differences between its root and rhizome is important. Although previous studies showed that the chemical and biological differences between the root and rhizome of P. notoginseng seem to be small, efforts should be taken to investigate such differences to ensure the safety and efficacy of the products. This work describes a holistic approach that combines characteristic fingerprinting using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry parent ion scanning with charged aerosol detection and targeted separation by online heart-cutting two-dimensional liquid chromatography, to identify and evaluate characteristic markers allowing differentiation of the root and rhizome. A total of five potential markers chikusetsusaponin L , ginsenoside Rb , stipuleanoside R malonyl-ginsenoside Rb , and malonyl-ginsenoside Rd, were identified and confirmed by comparing chromatographic retention time, the accurate mass of molecular weight, and the fragments of secondary MS with the available reference materials. The results showed that all five markers were 2.8-7 times higher in content in the rhizome than in the root.
Topics: Ginsenosides; Panax notoginseng; Rhizome; Saponins; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Panax
PubMed: 36409143
DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202200542 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2022Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. is a precious medicinal species native to the tropical forests of Vietnam. Due to habitat loss and over-harvesting, this species is...
Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. is a precious medicinal species native to the tropical forests of Vietnam. Due to habitat loss and over-harvesting, this species is endangered in Vietnam. To conserve the species, we investigated genetic variability and population structure using nine microsatellites for 148 individuals from seven populations across the current distribution range of P. vietnamensis in Vietnam. We determined a moderate genetic diversity within populations (HO = 0.367, HE = 0.437) and relatively low population differentiation (the Weir and Cockerham index of 0.172 and the Hedrick index of 0.254) and showed significant differentiation (P < 0.05), which suggested fragmented habitats, over-utilization and over-harvesting of P. vietnamensis. Different clustering methods revealed that individuals were grouped into two major clusters, which were associated with gene flow across the geographical range of P. vietnamensis. This study also detected that ginseng populations can have undergone a recent bottleneck. We recommend measures in future P. vietnamensis conservation and breeding programs.
Topics: Humans; Panax; Vietnam; Plant Breeding; Microsatellite Repeats; Asian People; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 36287528
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.264369 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2021Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) sprouts are grown to whole plants in 20 to 25 days in a soil-less cultivation system and then used as a medicinal vegetable. As a nitrogen...
Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) sprouts are grown to whole plants in 20 to 25 days in a soil-less cultivation system and then used as a medicinal vegetable. As a nitrogen (N) source, plasma-treated water (PTW) has been used to enhance the seed germination and seedling growth of many crops but has not been investigated for its effects on ginseng sprouts. This study established an in-situ system for N-containing water production using plasma technology and evaluated the effects of the PTW on ginseng growth and its bioactive phytochemicals compared with those of an untreated control. The PTW became weakly acidic 30 min after the air discharge at the electrodes because of the formation of nitrate (NO) and nitrite (NO) in the water. The NO and NO in the PTW, together with potassium ions (K), enhanced the shoot biomass of the ginseng sprout by 26.5% compared to the untreated control. The ginseng sprout grown in the PTW had accumulated more free amino acids and ginsenosides in the sprout at 25 days after planting. Therefore, PTW can be used as a liquid N fertilizer for P. ginseng growth and phytochemical accumulation during sprouting under aeroponic conditions.
Topics: Agriculture; Ginsenosides; Nitrogen; Panax; Plasma Gases; Seedlings; Water
PubMed: 33536557
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82487-8 -
Plant Communications Jul 2023Gene duplication is assumed to be the major force driving the evolution of metabolite biosynthesis in plants. Freed from functional burdens, duplicated genes can mutate...
Gene duplication is assumed to be the major force driving the evolution of metabolite biosynthesis in plants. Freed from functional burdens, duplicated genes can mutate toward novelties until fixed due to selective fitness. However, the extent to which this mechanism has driven the diversification of metabolite biosynthesis remains to be tested. Here we performed comparative genomics analysis and functional characterization to evaluate the impact of gene duplication on the evolution of triterpenoid biosynthesis using Panax species as models. We found that whole-genome duplications (WGDs) occurred independently in Araliaceae and Apiaceae lineages. Comparative genomics revealed the evolutionary trajectories of triterpenoid biosynthesis in plants, which was mainly promoted by WGDs and tandem duplication. Lanosterol synthase (LAS) was likely derived from a tandem duplicate of cycloartenol synthase that predated the emergence of Nymphaeales. Under episodic diversifying selection, the LAS gene duplicates produced by γ whole-genome triplication have given rise to triterpene biosynthesis in core eudicots through neofunctionalization. Moreover, functional characterization revealed that oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) responsible for synthesizing dammarane-type triterpenes in Panax species were also capable of producing ocotillol-type triterpenes. Genomic and biochemical evidence suggested that Panax genes encoding the above OSCs originated from the specialization of one OSC gene duplicate produced from a recent WGD shared by Araliaceae (Pg-β). Our results reveal the crucial role of gene duplication in diversification of triterpenoid biosynthesis in plants and provide insight into the origin of ocotillol-type triterpenes in Panax species.
Topics: Panax; Triterpenes; Ginsenosides; Genomics; Plants
PubMed: 36926697
DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100591 -
BMC Genomics Nov 2021Panax ginseng is a well-known medicinal plant worldwide. As an herbal medicine, ginseng is also known for its long lifecycle, which can reach several decades. WRKY...
BACKGROUND
Panax ginseng is a well-known medicinal plant worldwide. As an herbal medicine, ginseng is also known for its long lifecycle, which can reach several decades. WRKY proteins play regulatory roles in many aspects of biological processes in plants, such as responses to biotic or abiotic stress, plant development, and adaptation to environmental challenges. Genome-wide analyses of WRKY genes in P. ginseng have not been reported.
RESULTS
In this study, 137 PgWRKY genes were identified from the ginseng genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the PgWRKYs could be clustered into three primary groups and five subgroups. Most of the PgWRKY gene promoters contained several kinds of hormone- and stress-related cis-regulatory elements. The expression patterns of PgWRKY genes in 14 different tissues were analyzed based on the available public RNA-seq data. The responses of the PgWRKY genes to heat, cold, salt and drought treatment were also investigated. Most of the PgWRKY genes were expressed differently after heat treatment, and expression trends changed significantly under drought and cold treatment but only slightly under salt treatment. The coexpression analysis of PgWRKY genes with the ginsenoside biosynthesis pathway genes identified 11 PgWRKYs that may have a potential regulatory role in the biosynthesis process of ginsenoside.
CONCLUSIONS
This work provides insights into the evolution, modulation and distribution of the WRKY gene family in ginseng and extends our knowledge of the molecular basis along with modulatory mechanisms of WRKY transcription factors in ginsenoside biosynthesis.
Topics: Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genome-Wide Association Study; Panax; Phylogeny; Plant Proteins; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 34794386
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08145-5 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical and... Jan 2020Differentiated composition in precursor ions for different subclasses of ginsenosides in the negative electrospray-ionization mode has been reported, which lays a... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
A novel neutral loss/product ion scan-incorporated integral approach for the untargeted characterization and comparison of the carboxyl-free ginsenosides from Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and Panax notoginseng.
Differentiated composition in precursor ions for different subclasses of ginsenosides in the negative electrospray-ionization mode has been reported, which lays a foundation for the sorted and untargeted identification of ginsenosides. Carboxyl-free ginsenosides simultaneously from Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius, and P. notoginseng, were comprehensively characterized and statistically compared. A neutral loss/product ion scan (NL-PIS) incorporated untargeted profiling approach, coupled to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, was developed on a linear ion-trap/Orbitrap mass spectrometer for characterizing carboxyl-free ginsenosides. It incorporated in-source fragmentation (ISF) full scan-MS, mass tag-MS, and product ion scan-MS. Sixty batches of ginseng samples were analyzed by metabolomics workflows for the discovery of ginsenoside markers. Using formic acid (FA) as the additive, carboxyl-free ginsenosides (protopanaxadiol-type, protopanaxatriol-type, and octillol-type) gave predominant FA-adducts, while rich deprotonated molecules were observed for carboxyl-containing ginsenosides (oleanolic acid-type and malonylated) when source-induced dissociation (SID) was set at 0 V. Based on the NL transition [M+FA‒H] > [M-H] and the characteristic sapogenin product ions, a NL-PIS approach was established. It took advantage of the efficient full-information acquisition of ISF-MS (SID: 50 V), the high specificity of mass tag (NL: 46.0055 Da)-induced MS fragmentation, and the substructure fragmentation of product ion scan-MS. We could characterize 216 carboxyl-free ginsenosides, and 21 thereof were potentially diagnostic for the species differentiation. Conclusively, sorted and untargeted characterization of the carboxyl-free ginsenosides was achieved by the established NL-PIS approach. In contrast to the conventional NL or PIS-based survey scan strategies, the high-accuracy MS data obtained can enable more reliable identification of ginsenosides.
Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Ginsenosides; Ions; Mass Spectrometry; Panax
PubMed: 31472326
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112813