Proteomic profiling reveals the mechanism of ginsenoside synthesis in Panax notoginseng

IF 7.5 2区医学 Q1 CHEMISTRY, MEDICINAL

Journal of Ginseng Research Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-03-03 DOI:10.1016/j.jgr.2026.101017

Zheng-Wei Liang , Shi-Cheng Tang , Yan Ma , Teng Wang , Zheng Lv , Yan-Hui Guan , Jun-Wen Chen , Ming Zhao , Sheng-Chao Yang

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Abstract

Background

Panax notoginseng, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, holds significant historical and clinical value due to its ability to promote blood circulation, alleviate blood stasis, and provide neuroprotective effects. The primary bioactive constituents of this herb are P. notoginseng saponins (PNS). However, the mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis and regulation of PNS remain inadequately understood.

Methods

The contents of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd in P. notoginseng roots were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The protein composition of P. notoginseng roots was digested and labeled by tandem mass tags, and high pH reverse phase separation, analyzed using low pH nano high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (pH nano-HPLC-MS/MS) analysis system. Key protein data and regulatory pathways in the roots of P. notoginseng were analyzed to identify the essential enzymes and their corresponding genes involved in ginsenoside synthesis.

Results

A total of 7578 proteins were identified, among which 252 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were characterized. Specifically, 155 were found to be downregulated, while 93 were upregulated in the comparison of high to low (H/L) ginsenoside content. The DEPs were primarily associated with biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components, as classified by Gene Ontology. Additionally, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed a significant involvement of the ribosomal pathway. Notably, 19 enzymes identified among the DEPs are linked to ginsenoside biosynthesis.

Conclusions

This study analyzed the differences in the content of five major ginsenosides in P. notoginseng roots and identified the key proteins (enzymes) involved in regulating ginsenoside synthesis. The findings highlight the regulatory roles of the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme families in the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites, providing valuable insights into the biosynthesis of the active medicinal components in P. notoginseng.

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蛋白质组学分析揭示了三七人参皂苷合成的机制

摘要三七具有活血化瘀和神经保护作用，具有重要的历史和临床价值。该草药的主要生物活性成分是三七皂苷（PNS）。然而，PNS的生物合成和调控机制尚不清楚。方法采用高效液相色谱法测定三七根中三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1、Re、Rb1、Rd的含量。采用串联质标签法对三七根的蛋白质组成进行酶切和标记，高pH反相分离，采用低pH纳米高效液相色谱-质谱（pH纳米hplc -MS/MS）分析系统进行分析。通过对三七根系关键蛋白数据和调控通路的分析，确定了参与人参皂苷合成的必需酶及其相应基因。结果共鉴定出7578个蛋白，其中鉴定出252个差异表达蛋白（DEPs）。在高、低（H/L）人参皂苷含量对比中，155个基因表达下调，93个基因表达上调。dep主要与生物过程、分子功能和细胞成分相关，按基因本体分类。此外，京都基因和基因组百科全书路径富集分析揭示了核糖体途径的重要参与。值得注意的是，在dep中鉴定的19种酶与人参皂苷的生物合成有关。结论本研究分析了三七根中五种主要人参皂苷含量的差异，确定了调节人参皂苷合成的关键蛋白（酶）。这些发现突出了细胞色素P450 （CYP450）和udp -糖基转移酶（UGT）酶家族在次生代谢物生物合成途径中的调节作用，为三七活性药物成分的生物合成提供了有价值的见解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Ginseng Research CHEMISTRY, MEDICINAL-INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

CiteScore

11.40

自引率

9.50%

发文量

111

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Journal of Ginseng Research (JGR) is an official, open access journal of the Korean Society of Ginseng and is the only international journal publishing scholarly reports on ginseng research in the world. The journal is a bimonthly peer-reviewed publication featuring high-quality studies related to basic, pre-clinical, and clinical researches on ginseng to reflect recent progresses in ginseng research. JGR publishes papers, either experimental or theoretical, that advance our understanding of ginseng science, including plant sciences, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, veterinary medicine, biochemistry, manufacture, and clinical study of ginseng since 1976. It also includes the new paradigm of integrative research, covering alternative medicinal approaches. Article types considered for publication include review articles, original research articles, and brief reports. JGR helps researchers to understand mechanisms for traditional efficacy of ginseng and to put their clinical evidence together. It provides balanced information on basic science and clinical applications to researchers, manufacturers, practitioners, teachers, scholars, and medical doctors.