DEGTYARENKO A.I., GORPENCHENKO T.Y., GRIGORCHUK V.P., SHKRYL Y.N.
Problems of biological, medical and pharmaceutical chemistry 2026; 29(2): 71-78
Introduction. Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is a valuable medicinal plant; however, its productivity is limited by abiotic stresses such as salinity, extreme temperatures, and excessive light exposure. The introduction of osmoprotectant biosynthesis mechanisms can enhance plant stress tolerance. This study is the first to assess the role of β-alanine betaine (βAB) in improving ginseng's stress resistance. Objective. To evaluate the effect of LlBANMT gene expression, responsible for βAB biosynthesis, on P. ginseng tolerance to salinity, cold, and light stress, with a focus on redox balance, antioxidant enzyme activity, and lipid peroxidation. Material and Methods. The experiment was conducted on leaves of a morphogenic P. ginseng cell line. A binary vector containing the LlBANMT gene under the control of a double 35S promoter was used to ensure gene expression. Transient transformation was performed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens infiltration. The samples were subjected to salinity stress (150 mM NaCl), light stress (450 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ PAR), and low-temperature stress (8 °C). The levels of βAB, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, determined using the xylenol orange method), malondialdehyde (MDA, measured via TBA reaction), total antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), and peroxidase activity were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results. LlBANMT expression led to the accumulation of βAB in P. ginseng leaves. Under salinity and cold stress, transgenic explants exhibited lower MDA levels, indicating reduced oxidative damage. The H2O2 content in transgenic leaves under salinity and light stress was significantly lower than in control samples. Total antioxidant activity and peroxidase activity were higher in transgenic plants under salinity and high light intensity. Conclusions. The expression of LlBANMT enhances P. ginseng tolerance to abiotic stresses by reducing oxidative stress through the membrane-protective action of βAB and the activation of antioxidant mechanisms. The effect was particularly pronounced under salinity and light stress, supporting the potential application of βAB in plant biotechnology.
