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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Profiling Individual Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Quantitative RT-PCR
Published on: May 29, 2014
Single-cell analyses identify the ginseng embryonic protoderm as a native compartment for high-efficiency ginsenoside
Juan Liu1, Ning Zhai2, Shiyi Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
None:
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) derives its renowned therapeutic properties from ginsenoside metabolites. However, the long cultivation cycle and susceptibility to diseases hinder the advancement of the ginseng industry. Here, we demonstrate that the embryonic protoderm of ginseng can efficiently produce ginsenosides. Single-cell transcriptome and mass spectrometry imaging analyses reveal that ginsenosides accumulate in the protoderm of ginseng embryonic callus (EC) at levels comparable to those in forest ginseng. Epigenetic analyses indicate that elevated histone acetylation and enhanced chromatin accessibility at regeneration- and ginsenoside metabolism-related gene loci are associated with the ginsenoside-producing capacity of EC. Increasing histone acetylation levels or overexpressing the regeneration-related WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX11 (WOX11) gene further enhances ginsenoside production in EC. Our findings suggest that the protoderm of EC could serve as an in situ biological compartment for high-efficiency ginsenoside producion, offering a complementary approach to traditional ginseng cultivation.
