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Ginseng (Panax sp.) proteomics: an update

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Abstract

Panax ginseng, commonly known as ginseng, is a well-known medicinal plant that has been used as traditional medicine in China and Korea. Research in the past few decades supports the pharmacological effects of ginseng. For example, ginseng roots (extracts) exhibit multiple medicinal effects, such as anticancer, antiaging, and protection against circulatory shock, in humans. In this review, we summarize the progress made so far in the ginseng proteomics, starting from sample preparation to establishments of proteomes and databases. Both gel-based (1-DE and 2-DE in combination with LC–MS/MS) and gel-free proteomics technologies have been applied on wide range of samples, collected during different growth and developmental stages and under normal or adverse stress conditions. In particular, comparative proteome analysis has been carried out to investigate the protein profiles of Oriental, American and Indian ginsengs using majorly root and leaf tissues. Moreover, identification of stress-responsive proteins was a key focus that led to the detection of some of the common proteins such as heat shock protein (HSP), ATPase, enolase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and ribonuclease/ginseng major protein (GMP). Acquired proteomics-based knowledge has been very fruitful in providing better insight into the ginseng biology, opening a door for comparative and translation research of other important medicinal plants. However, due to the fact that proteins undergo various post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications, obtained proteomics data do not always complement the transcriptomics data perfectly; therefore, future efforts would require the utilization of an integrated/holistic molecular-genetic (or omics) approach to explore the biology of this golden plant.

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Acknowledgment

This work was carried out with the support of “Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ0100104),” Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Bioscience, Pusan National University, Miryang, 627-706, South Korea

    So Wun Kim, Seo Hyun Lee, Cheol Woo Min, Ravi Gupta & Sun Tae Kim

  2. Department of Herbal Crop Research, Rural Development Administration, Eumseong, 369-873, South Korea

    Ick Hyun Jo, Kyong Hwan Bang & Dong-Yun Hyun

  3. Research Laboratory for Biotechnology and Biochemistry (RLABB), P.O. Box 13265, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Ganesh Kumar Agrawal & Randeep Rakwal

  4. GRADE Academy Private Limited, Adarsh Nagar-13, Birgunj, Nepal

    Ganesh Kumar Agrawal & Randeep Rakwal

  5. Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan

    Randeep Rakwal

  6. Global Research Center for Innovative Life Science, Peptide Drug Innovation, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, 4-41 Ebara 2-chome, Shinagawa, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan

    Randeep Rakwal

  7. Division of Plant Biotechnology, S K University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190025, India

    Sajad Majeed Zargar

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  1. So Wun Kim
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  10. Ravi Gupta
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Correspondence to Ravi Gupta or Sun Tae Kim.

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Kim, S.W., Lee, S.H., Min, C.W. et al. Ginseng (Panax sp.) proteomics: an update. Appl Biol Chem 60, 311–320 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13765-017-0283-y

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