Degtyarenko A., Lead E., Gorpenchenko T., Candidate O.B.S., Shkryl YU., Candidate O.B.S.
Nauka Yuga Rossii 2025; 21(4): 87–93
Enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stresses is a key objective in contemporary molecular biology and plant biotechnology. In this study, we investigated the impact of heterologous expression of the LlBANMT gene, responsible for the biosynthesis of p-alanine-betaine (PAB), on the physiological traits of transgenic Panax ginseng plants subjected to salinity, temperature, and high light stress. It was shown that LlBANMT overexpression was associated with a significant increase in membrane stability index and a decrease in relative electrolyte leakage in P. ginseng leaves under salt and cold stress conditions compared to control plants. In contrast, PAB accumulation had no pronounced effect on these parameters under light stress. Under salinity and cold exposure, transgenic leaves retained higher relative water content. Furthermore, transgenic plants maintained elevated levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids under all stress treatments. These findings indicate a membrane-stabilizing effect of PAB and its capacity to maintain water and ionic homeostasis under abiotic stress, likely due to its osmoprotective and antioxidant properties. Therefore, the LlBANMT gene represents a promising molecular tool for developing stress-tolerant ginseng varieties with enhanced adaptive plasticity to adverse environmental conditions. The results of this study broaden current understanding of pAB functions and demonstrate its potential as an effective metabolic regulator in plant biotechnology
