Cold-induced Ginsenosides Accumulation is Associated with the Alteration in DNA Methylation and Relative Gene Expression in Perennial American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) along with its Plant Growth and Development Process

ConclusionWe therefore hypothesized that cold-induced DNA methylation changes might regulate relative gene expression involving both plant development and plant secondary metabolites in such cold dependent perennial plant species.Graphical abstractA postulated mechanism of cold-induced ginsenosides accumulation in perennial American ginseng Along with the seasonal changes in temperature, the 1 to 2-year-old American ginseng, which are at the stage of plant vegetative growth, experience DNA demethylation, a lower levels expression of PqDDS, a small quantity of ginsenosides accumulation and then plant aerial parts wilted and remaining roots entered a winter dormant state with DNA methylation increasing. However, the 3-year-old American ginseng, which is at the stage of plant reproductive growth, experience DNA demethylation, a higher levels expression of PqFT, a higher levels expression of PqDDS, a large quantity of ginsenosides accumulation and then plant aerial parts wilted and remaining roots entered a winter dormant state with DNA methylation increasing. The cold temperature in winter play a decisive role in both plant development and ginsenosides accumulation of American ginseng .

Source: Journal of Ginseng Research - July 2, 2019 Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research