Harnessing Jasmonate Pathways: PgJAR1’s Impact on Ginsenoside Accumulation in Ginseng

Ginsenosides, the most active components in <i>Panax ginseng</i>, exhibit pharmacological and therapeutic properties but are limited by their low abundance. Jasmonates (JAs), a class of stress-induced phytohormones, are integral in modulating plant defense responses and the biosynthesis...

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Main Authors: Ru Zhang, Chao Li, Rui Guo, Zhaoying Li, Bianling Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/847
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author Ru Zhang
Chao Li
Rui Guo
Zhaoying Li
Bianling Zhang
author_facet Ru Zhang
Chao Li
Rui Guo
Zhaoying Li
Bianling Zhang
author_sort Ru Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Ginsenosides, the most active components in <i>Panax ginseng</i>, exhibit pharmacological and therapeutic properties but are limited by their low abundance. Jasmonates (JAs), a class of stress-induced phytohormones, are integral in modulating plant defense responses and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including ginsenosides. Jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile), the primary bioactive JA compound, is biosynthesized by JA-Ile synthase 1 (JAR1). In this study, we cloned the 1555 bp <i>PgJAR1</i> gene from ginseng roots and analyzed its structure, enzyme activity, and expression pattern. The PgJAR1 protein encompasses all the hallmark elements characteristic of the GH3 family. It exhibits N/C-terminal domains analogous to ANL, three ATP/AMP-binding motifs, and distinct secondary structures: an N-terminal beta-barrel with beta-sheets and alpha-helices, and a C-terminal beta-sheet surrounded by alpha-helices, similarly to AtGH3.11/AtJAR1. The recombinant PgJAR1 enzyme expressed in <i>Escherichia coli</i> BL21 specifically catalyzed jasmonic acid (JA) to JA-Ile. <i>PgJAR1</i> is predominantly expressed in leaves and is upregulated by MeJA treatment. Moderate transient overexpression of <i>PgJAR1</i> promoted the biosynthesis of both JA-Ile and ginsenosides, highlighting the crucial role of <i>PgJAR1</i> in JA-Ile biosynthesis and its positive impact on ginsenoside accumulation. Nevertheless, elevated JA-Ile levels can impede cellular growth, reducing ginsenoside production. Consequently, balancing JA-Ile biosynthesis through <i>PgJAR1</i> expression is essential for optimizing ginseng cultivation and enhancing its medicinal properties. Modulating endogenous JA-Ile levels offers a strategy for increasing ginsenoside production in ginseng plants.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2223-7747
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spelling doaj-art-525b29309d814471a1fbe247ef2cd6092025-08-20T03:43:31ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-03-0114684710.3390/plants14060847Harnessing Jasmonate Pathways: PgJAR1’s Impact on Ginsenoside Accumulation in GinsengRu Zhang0Chao Li1Rui Guo2Zhaoying Li3Bianling Zhang4College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Xiangtan 411104, ChinaCollege of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Xiangtan 411104, ChinaCollege of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Xiangtan 411104, ChinaCollege of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Xiangtan 411104, ChinaCollege of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Xiangtan 411104, ChinaGinsenosides, the most active components in <i>Panax ginseng</i>, exhibit pharmacological and therapeutic properties but are limited by their low abundance. Jasmonates (JAs), a class of stress-induced phytohormones, are integral in modulating plant defense responses and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including ginsenosides. Jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile), the primary bioactive JA compound, is biosynthesized by JA-Ile synthase 1 (JAR1). In this study, we cloned the 1555 bp <i>PgJAR1</i> gene from ginseng roots and analyzed its structure, enzyme activity, and expression pattern. The PgJAR1 protein encompasses all the hallmark elements characteristic of the GH3 family. It exhibits N/C-terminal domains analogous to ANL, three ATP/AMP-binding motifs, and distinct secondary structures: an N-terminal beta-barrel with beta-sheets and alpha-helices, and a C-terminal beta-sheet surrounded by alpha-helices, similarly to AtGH3.11/AtJAR1. The recombinant PgJAR1 enzyme expressed in <i>Escherichia coli</i> BL21 specifically catalyzed jasmonic acid (JA) to JA-Ile. <i>PgJAR1</i> is predominantly expressed in leaves and is upregulated by MeJA treatment. Moderate transient overexpression of <i>PgJAR1</i> promoted the biosynthesis of both JA-Ile and ginsenosides, highlighting the crucial role of <i>PgJAR1</i> in JA-Ile biosynthesis and its positive impact on ginsenoside accumulation. Nevertheless, elevated JA-Ile levels can impede cellular growth, reducing ginsenoside production. Consequently, balancing JA-Ile biosynthesis through <i>PgJAR1</i> expression is essential for optimizing ginseng cultivation and enhancing its medicinal properties. Modulating endogenous JA-Ile levels offers a strategy for increasing ginsenoside production in ginseng plants.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/847<i>PgJAR1</i>GH3 familyJAJA-Ile<i>Panax ginseng</i>ginsenosides
spellingShingle Ru Zhang
Chao Li
Rui Guo
Zhaoying Li
Bianling Zhang
Harnessing Jasmonate Pathways: PgJAR1’s Impact on Ginsenoside Accumulation in Ginseng
Plants
<i>PgJAR1</i>
GH3 family
JA
JA-Ile
<i>Panax ginseng</i>
ginsenosides
title Harnessing Jasmonate Pathways: PgJAR1’s Impact on Ginsenoside Accumulation in Ginseng
title_full Harnessing Jasmonate Pathways: PgJAR1’s Impact on Ginsenoside Accumulation in Ginseng
title_fullStr Harnessing Jasmonate Pathways: PgJAR1’s Impact on Ginsenoside Accumulation in Ginseng
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing Jasmonate Pathways: PgJAR1’s Impact on Ginsenoside Accumulation in Ginseng
title_short Harnessing Jasmonate Pathways: PgJAR1’s Impact on Ginsenoside Accumulation in Ginseng
title_sort harnessing jasmonate pathways pgjar1 s impact on ginsenoside accumulation in ginseng
topic <i>PgJAR1</i>
GH3 family
JA
JA-Ile
<i>Panax ginseng</i>
ginsenosides
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/847
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