Cauline Leaf Research Articles

Cardamine zhangjiajieensis, a new species of Brassicaceae in China

Cardamine zhangjiajieensis, a new species from Hunan Province, China, is described and illustrated. Cardamine zhangjiajieensis is similar to C. circaeoides. From the latter, C. zhangjiajieensis is readily distinguished by the terminal leaflet of the cauline leaf 4.5–7 cm (vs. 2.5–4.5 cm), mostly round or oblong (vs. oblong-oval to triangular-oval), margin undulating sinuses (vs. crenate or subentire), seed apically narrow wing (vs. wingless).

Modulation of cell differentiation and growth underlies the shift from bud protection to light capture in cauline leaves.

Plant organs have evolved into diverse shapes for specialized functions despite emerging as simple protrusions at the shoot apex. Cauline leaves serve as photosynthetic organs and protective structures for emerging floral buds. However, the growth patterns underlying this dual function remain unknown. Here, we investigate the developmental dynamics shaping Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cauline leaves underlying their functional diversification from other laminar organs. We show that cauline leaves display a significant delay in overall elongation compared to rosette leaves. Using live imaging, we reveal that their functional divergence hinges on early modulation of the timing of cell differentiation and cellular growth rates. In contrast to rosette leaves and sepals, cell differentiation is delayed in cauline leaves, fostering extended proliferation, prolonged morphogenetic activity, and growth redistribution within the organ. Notably, cauline leaf growth is transiently suppressed during the early stages, keeping the leaf small and unfolded during the initiation of the first flowers. Our findings highlight the unique developmental timing of cauline leaves, underlying their shift from an early protective role to a later photosynthetic function.

A new species of Onosma (Boraginaceae) from Bakhtiari Mountains in Iran

A new species, Onosma bakhtiarica (Boraginaceae), has been discovered in Iran’s Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. The plant is found in the Tang-e Beheshtabad and belongs to sect. Onosma subsect. Haplotricha. Morphologically, it is closely related to O. pachypoda and O. sericea. Still, it differs from the mentioned species by the rosette leaf shape, shape of rosette leaf apex, shorter cauline leaf, cauline leaf width and shape, arrangement of setae, corolla color and shape, shorter pedicel length in flowering and fruiting, shorter fruiting calyx, bract shape, nutlet shape and size, nutlet ornamentation, and a hairy annulus. In addition, O. bakhtiarica is distinguished from O. pachypoda by its light brown nutlet, rosette leaf with a long petiole, and cauline leaf with an acute apex. It can also be distinguished from O. sericea by the dense short hairs covering the corolla’s exterior. Diagnostic characters, a comprehensive description, photographs, and a distribution map are provided. An identification key for haplotrichous Onosma species of Iran is also provided.

Corydalis sunhangii (Papaveraceae): A new species from Xizang, China, based on plastome and morphological data.

A new species of Papaveraceae, Corydalis sunhangii, in the section Trachycarpae, is described and illustrated from Nyingchi City, Xizang, China. The new species has some resemblance to Corydalis kingdonis, but differs by radical leaves prominent, usually several, blade tripinnate (vs. insignificant, few, blade bi- to triternate); cauline leaf usually one, much smaller than radical leaves, usually situated in lower half of stem (vs. usually two, larger than radical leaves, concentrated in upper third of stem); racemes densely 13-35-flowered (vs. rather lax, 4-11-flowered); claw of lower petal shallowly saccate (vs. very prominently and deeply saccate); capsule oblong, with raised lines of dense papillae (vs. broadly obovoid, smooth). Phylogenetic analysis, based on 68 protein-coding plastid genes of 49 samples, shows that C. sunhangii is not closely related to any hitherto described species, which is consistent with our morphological analysis.

Lophiolepis (=Cirsium Epitrachys seksiyonu) cinsine ait Türkiye’den yeni bir melez kaydı (Asteraceae, Carduinae)

Lophiolepis Cass., belonging to the tribe Cardueae of the family Asteraceae (subtribe Carduinae) is newly separated from the genus Cirsium Miller in the light of recent molecular studies. It has a high affinity to form interspecific and intersubspecific hybrids under certain circumstances. In the present study, one hybrid combination, Lophiolepis x trifurca (Petr.) Bureš, Del Guacchio, Iamonico &P. Caputo which was previously described as Cirsium x trifurcum Petrak by Petrak in 1914 is newly recorded for Turkish Flora. The hybrid specimens have intermediate characters with parental species; Lophiolepis kosmelii (Adams) Bureš, Del Guacchio, Iamonico & P. Caputo and L. caucasica (Adams) Bureš, Del Guacchio, Iamonico & P. Caputo. Plant samples including parental species were collected from Şavşat district of Artvin province in sympatric populations. These specimens were carefully examined and compared with the putative parents, and morphological character measurements of hybrid plants, as well as parental species were carried out. The samples’ natural habits were photographed, cauline leaf drawings were supplied using a stereomicroscope, leaf micromorphological characters were determined and anatomical characteristics were compared with parents, in detail. In conclusion, intermediate morphological characteristics between L. x trifurca and its parents were determined in terms of features such as cauline leaves, phyllaries, capitula and corolla. It has spines on adaxial sides, and uniseriate multicellular tomentose trichomes in abaxial ones. Cuticle has striate appearance near to the stomata/ trichome bases in the abaxial surface and scale/granules are shown in adaxial parts. This taxon has amphistomatic leaves and dorsiventral mesophyll as in the parental species.

Salvia changchuniana (Lamiaceae), a new species from Zhejiang, East China

Salvia changchuniana (Lamiaceae), a new species from Zhejiang Province of eastern China, is described with illustrations. The new species is similar to Salvia liguliloba, but differs in having wider leaves, basal leaf blade ovate-elliptic, ovate-oblong or broadly ovate, 7‒13 cm long, 4‒9 cm wide, cauline leaf blade ovate-elliptic, ovate or broadly ovate, 9.5‒13(‒20) cm long, 4.5‒7(‒12) cm wide, inflorescence rachis densely recurved pubescent and glandular, calyx glandular externally, with ribs short-hispidulous, corolla short, 1.3‒1.5 cm long, tube pubescent externally, limb villous and glandular externally, middle lobe of lower lip compressed rounded-spathulate, ca. 3 mm long, ca. 2.5 mm wide, margin praemorse. All species of Salvia ser. Ligulilobae were compared with the new species.

Taxonomic review of Lepidium ruderale (Brassicaceae) in Korea

The current status of Lepidium ruderale L. is uncertain in Korea. This alien species was previously reported as a new record of the Korean flora and placed under L. ruderale. Although some taxonomists have suggested that it belongs to another Lepidium taxon, no conclusions have been reached. Therefore, in this study, the holotype and protologue of L. ruderale were obtained and carefully examined. The description of this species is as follows: basal leaves are 1–3 pinnate; cauline leaf blades are linear to lanceolate and entire and ciliate; petals are absent or rudimentary; flowers have two stamens; and fruits are winged at the apex, have an apical notch, and are glabrous. These features distinguish it from other Lepidium species. Examination of numerous specimens and analysis of multiple characteristics demonstrated that the voucher specimens of L. ruderale belong to L. pinnatifidum Ledeb. Therefore, L. ruderale is not distributed in Korea.

A new species and endemism of Tigridia (Tigridieae, Iridaceae) in the Transmexican Volcanic Belt, Mexico

The Transmexican Volcanic Belt (TVB) extends across Mexico from east to west between 18°30’ and 21°30’ latitudes. It is part of the Mexican Transition Zone consisting of several plateaus at different elevations and hundreds of volcanic structures. These have promoted diversification and endemism in several plant lineages. Here, Tigridia azufresensis is described as a new endemic species of the TVB. Morphologically, this taxon belongs to the Violacea complex and is similar to T. durangensis. Tigridia azufresensis differs from other species in its robust habit, and larger flowers. It has a cauline leaf subtending the rhipidium, so it appears to have three spathe valves. The flowers have elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate outer tepals and clawed inner tepals, which have a geniculate blade and a triangular apiculate limb. The TVB is rich in endemic species of Tigridieae: Tigridia azufresensis, T. flammea, T. gracielae, T. matudae, and T. venusta are exclusive to this biogeographical province.

A BrLINE1-RUP insertion in BrCER2 alters cuticular wax biosynthesis in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis).

Glossiness is an important quality-related trait of Chinese cabbage, which is a leafy vegetable crop in the family Brassicaceae. The glossy trait is caused by abnormal cuticular wax accumulation. In this study, on the basis of a bulked segregant analysis coupled with next-generation sequencing (BSA-seq) and fine-mapping, the most likely candidate gene responsible for the glossy phenotype of Chinese cabbage was identified. It was subsequently named Brcer2 because it is homologous to AtCER2 (At4g24510). A bioinformatics analysis indicated a long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1) transposable element (named BrLINE1-RUP) was inserted into the first exon of Brcer2 in HN19-G via an insertion-mediated deletion mechanism, which introduced a premature termination codon. Gene expression analysis showed that the InDel mutation of BrCER2 reduced the transcriptional expression levels of Brcer2 in HN19-G. An analysis of cuticular waxes suggested that a loss-of-function mutation to BrCER2 in Chinese cabbage leads to a severe decrease in the abundance of very-long-chain-fatty-acids (> C28), resulting in the production of a cauline leaf, inflorescence stem, flower, and pistil with a glossy phenotype. These findings imply the insertion of the LINE-1 transposable element BrLINE1-RUP into BrCER2 can modulate the waxy traits of Chinese cabbage plants.

Reevaluation of ethylene role in Arabidopsis cauline leaf abscission induced by water stress and rewatering.

It was previously reported that cauline leaf abscission in Arabidopsis is induced by a cycle of water stress and rewatering, which is regulated by the complex of INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION (IDA), HAESA (HAE), and HAESA‐LIKE2 (HSL2) kinases. However, the involvement of ethylene in this process was ruled out. Because this conclusion contradicts the well‐established role of ethylene in organ abscission induced by a cycle of water stress and rewatering, our present study was aimed to reevaluate the possible involvement of ethylene in this process. For this purpose, we examined the endogenous ethylene production during water stress and following rewatering, as well as the effects of exogenous ethylene and 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), on cauline leaf abscission of Arabidopsis wild type. Additionally, we examined whether this stress induces cauline leaf abscission in ethylene‐insensitive Arabidopsis mutants. The results of the present study demonstrated that ethylene production rates increased significantly in cauline leaves at 4 h after rewatering of stressed plants and remained high for at least 24 h in plants water‐stressed to 40 and 30% of system weight. Ethylene treatment applied to well‐watered plants induced cauline leaf abscission, which was inhibited by 1‐MCP. Cauline leaf abscission was also inhibited by 1‐MCP applied during a cycle of water stress and rewatering. Finally, no abscission occurred in two ethylene‐insensitive mutants, ein2‐1 and ein2‐5, following a cycle of water stress and rewatering. Taken together, these results clearly indicate that ethylene is involved in Arabidopsis cauline leaf abscission induced by water stress and rewatering.Our results show that ethylene is involved in Arabidopsis cauline leaf abscission induced by water stress and rewatering, similar to leaf abscission in other plants.

Morphological and molecular evidence of the hybrid origin of Crepidiastrum ×muratagenii in Korea

The plant “Hong-do-go-deul-ppae-gi” has been considered as Crepidiastrum × muratagenii, a hybrid between C. denticulatum and C. lanceolatum, based on its morphological traits and geographical distribution. To reveal the hybrid origin of Hong-do-go-deul-ppae-gi, we examined additional morphological traits of this plant and its putative parents (C. denticulatum, C. lanceolatum, C. platyphyllum) and analyzed one nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and four chloroplast regions (trnT-L, trnL-F, rpl16 intron, and rps16 intron). As a result of examining the morphological traits, putative hybrid individuals were classified into three types based on the habit, cauline leaf, outer phyllary, and achene beak traits. A molecular analysis found that the ITS sequences of Type 1 and Type 2 individuals showed additive species-specific sites of C. denticulatum and C. lanceolatum. Plastid sequences of Type 1 and Type 2 individuals showed C. denticulatum and C. lanceolatum sequences, respectively. However, Type 3 individuals had ITS and plastid sequences corresponding to C. denticulatum. Accordingly, Type 1 and Type 2 individuals not only share morphological traits with C. denticulatum and C. lanceolatum but also show additive species-specific sites for C. denticulatum and C. lanceolatum, and not C. platyphyllum, supporting its origin as a hybrid between C. denticulatum and C. lanceolatum. Type 3 had morphological traits similar to other hybrid types but was distinguished with respect to outer phyllaries and demonstrated some resemblance to C. denticulatum. In a molecular analysis, Type 3 was found to be identical with regard to the sequence of C. denticulatum and was judged to be an ecological variation of C. denticulatum.

Isolation and Functional Characterization of a LEAFY Gene in Mango (Mangifera indica L.).

LEAFY (LFY) plays an important role in the flowering process of plants, controlling flowering time and mediating floral meristem differentiation. Owing to its considerable importance, the mango LFY gene (MiLFY; GenBank accession no. HQ585988) was isolated, and its expression pattern and function were characterized in the present study. The cDNA sequence of MiLFY was 1152 bp, and it encoded a 383 amino acid protein. MiLFY was expressed in all tested tissues and was highly expressed in flowers and buds. Temporal expression analysis showed that MiLFY expression was correlated with floral development stage, and two relative expression peaks were detected in the early stages of floral transition and floral organ differentiation. Moreover, 35S::GFP-MiLFY fusion protein was shown to be localized to the nucleus of cells. Overexpression of MiLFY in Arabidopsis promoted early flowering and the conversion of lateral meristems into terminal flowers. In addition, transgenic plants exhibited obvious morphological changes, such as differences in cauline leaf shape, and the number of lateral branches. When driven by the MiLFY promoter, GFP was highly expressed in leaves, floral organs, stems, and roots, during the flowering period. Exogenous gibberellin (GA3) treatment downregulated MiLFY promoter expression, but paclobutrazol (PPP333) upregulated it. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays showed that the MiLFY protein can interact with zinc-finger protein 4 (ZFP4) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (MiSOC1D). Taken together, these results indicate that MiLFY plays a pivotal role in controlling mango flowering, and that it is regulated by gibberellin and paclobutrazol.

LEAF ANATOMY OF INULA PEACOCKIANA (AITCH. & HEMSL.) KOROVIN

Objective: Inula peacockiana, which is called "uzunandızotu" in Turkey, is a stout perennial herbaceous plant with yellow flowers, grow up to 2 m. It is a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, which has medicinal value. The safe use of medicinal plants depends on their correct diagnosis. The anatomical features of the leaves are valuable in diagnosing plants correctly. In this study, the anatomical features of the basal leaf, petiole and cauline leaf of I. peacockiana were investigated. Material and Method: Plant materials were collected from Van (Turkey). A voucher specimen was deposited in the VANF Herbarium. The samples for anatomical studies were preserved in 70% alcohol. The transverse and surface sections were cutted by hand with razor blade in microscopic preparation form. The chloral hydrate solution was used in microscopic examinations. Result and Discussion: The basal and cauline leaves are dorsiventral and contain cover and glandular hairs. The main vein protrudes outward in the midrib of the both leaves. Different the basal leaf, the cauline leaf contains more glandular hairs on the upper surface and cover hairs on the lower surface. In both leaves, ranunculaceae type stomata were observed in the upper and lower epidermis. The simple arc-shaped petiole includes of numerous separate bundles embedded in the parenchymatous cells. The epidermal layer consist of numerous cover and glandular hairs.

Integrative analysis of HD-Zip III gene PmHB1 contribute to the plant architecture in Prunus mume

Mei (Prunus mume) is a traditional fruit and ornamental woody plant. P. mume cultivars with dwarf and dense intersecting branched tree architecture are essential for enhancing the ornamental value and application diversity, such as bonsai, flower arrangement and potted plants. However, little is known about the mechanism of branching in P. mume. The apical meristem produces the organs of the above-ground part, which is essential for branch development. The HD-Zip III subfamily transcription factors influence the development of multiple lateral organs and meristem maintenance. However, their roles in regulating tree architecture have not been studied in P. mume. Here, the PmHB1 gene, encoding the HD-Zip III subfamily transcription factor, was strongly expressed in the hypocotyl, young leaf, root primordia, leaf bud, flower bud, style, and vascular tissues in leaf and inflorescence, which could respond to multiple plant hormones (such as GA3, IAA, ZA, KT, and BR). It is worth noting that there was a significant correlation between branch quantity and PmHB1 expression level in different mei cultivars. The formation of PmHB1 protein was controlled through the miR165/166 post-transcriptional regulation. Overexpression of the PmHB1 gene in Arabidopsis increased of the number of primary axillary inflorescence in leaf axil and secondary axillary inflorescence in the cauline leaf axil. The expression levels of genes involved in meristem maintenance (CLV3, RAP2.6 L, STM, BEL1, PEAR, WUS), auxin metabolism and signal transduction (IAA30, IAA20, PIN1, LAX3, LAX2, YUCCA5, TAA1, MP), cytokinin metabolism, and signaling transduction (IPT4, IPT7, ARR1, ARR2, MET1) were significantly changed in transgenic Arabidopsis. Moreover, according to yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation experiments, the transcription factor PmHB1 could interact with multiple proteins, such as Pm005033 (PmCSN5A), Pm005297 (PmHSFB4), Pm016138 (PmSPL13A), Pm024774 (PmEB1A), and Pm026192 (PmZPR4). Taken together, the PmHB1 gene could regulate the apical meristem development and promote the branching in P. mume.

Morphological and genetic diversity of Senecio vulgaris L. (Asteraceae) in Iran

Senecio vulgaris L., an annual herb belonging to the Asteraceae, is widely distributed in different regions of the world. There is no information on the intraspecific variations of the morphological and molecular features of this species. In the present investigation, we studied the morphological and genetic diversity of 81 accessions of S. vulgaris collected from 10 geographical populations. Eleven inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were used for the examination of genetic variations among the populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and GST analyses revealed significant differences among the investigated populations. A significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance was revealed by the Mantel test. However, reticulation analysis indicated the occurrence of gene flow among most of the populations studied. Principal component analysis (PCA) plot showed that the number of capitula, length of the cauline leaf and plant height were the most variable morphological characters. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) plot revealed two groups of populations, according to molecular and morphological data. The results suggested the existence of possible intraspecific taxonomic ranks within this species.

Ferulago akpulatii (Apiaceae): A new species from Central Anatolia, Turkey

Ferulago akpulatii (Apiaceae) is described as a new species endemic to Central Anatolia, Turkey. It is closely related to Ferulago platycarpa and F. pauciradiata, and is easily distinguished by its cauline leaf shape, inflorescence type, and fruit features. The main morphological differences between Ferulago akpulatii and related taxa are discussed, and the diagnostic characteristics, including the anatomical features of fruits, are given in detail. An identification key of Ferulago akpulatii and the morphologically closer species is also provided.

Leaf blade anatomy of the rare Siberian flora species Mertensia sibirica (L.) G. Don fil. (Boraginaceae)

The authors present the findings of a leaf blade anatomy study for the rare relict Siberian flora species Mertensia sibirica (L.) G. Don fil. (Boraginaceae). They collected samples for the study from natural habitats in Chita Region (Chikoy Range) and then planted them in the introduction area of the Siberian Botanic Garden (Tomsk) located in the southern taiga subzone of Western Siberia. The parameters of the photosynthetic and stomatal complex of M. sibirica were studied for the first time. It was found out that the rosette and cauline leaves of the species under study are hypostomatous, with an anomocytic stomatal complex. The epidermis is single-layer. On average, the adaxial epidermis has larger cells vs. abaxial epidermis. The leaf mesophyll is 242.90–369.90 µm thick, dorsiventral. The adaxial side of the leaf comprises glandular trichomes surrounded with pronounced rosettes of cells in the base part. The cauline leaf significantly differs from the rosette leaf in finer cells of its adaxial and abaxial epidermis (and, consequently, their larger number per 1 mm2), while the adaxial epidermal cells are thicker, and in a larger number of stomata in the abaxial epidermis. The palisade mesophyll in the cauline leaf is more developed vs. the rosette leaf, while the cells are longer and the palisade/spongy mesophyll ratio is higher. The rosette leaves have a more developed system of vascular tissues vs. cauline ones, as they play the main role in providing plants with water and nutrients. The contribution of the cauline leaf palisade mesophyll to the photosynthetic potential of M. sibirica is higher vs. that of the rosette leaf (the ratio between palisade and spongy mesophyll is 0.45 vs. 0.36, respectively), which characterizes the cauline leaf as more heliophytic. The stomatal complex and mesophyll parameters under study are primarily characterized by low variance. As for dermal tissue parameters, medium variance is typical of the thickness and size of the abaxial and adaxial epidermal cells. Coefficients of variation for the cells of the upper mesophyll layer (CV=31.2–41.6%) and the number of stomata on the lower epidermis of the rosette leaf (CV=21.5%) demonstrate medium and high variance. A very high coefficient of variation (116.2–174.0) is registered for the adaxial epidermis parameter characterizing the density of trichomes per 1 mm2. The study results were used to develop an optimal M. sibirica cultivation regime under conditions of introduction in the southern taiga subzone of Western Siberia.

Key role of the motor protein Kinesin 13B in the activity of homeodomain-leucine zipper I transcription factors.

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) homeodomain-leucine zipper I transcription factor HaHB11 conferred differential phenotypic features when it was expressed in Arabidopsis, alfalfa, and maize plants. Such differences were increased biomass, seed yield, and tolerance to flooding. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to such traits and identify HaHB11-interacting proteins, a yeast two-hybrid screening of an Arabidopsis cDNA library was carried out using HaHB11 as bait. The sole protein identified with high confidence as interacting with HaHB11 was Kinesin 13B. The interaction was confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation and by yeast two-hybrid assay. Kinesin 13B also interacted with AtHB7, the Arabidopsis closest ortholog of HaHB11. Histochemical analyses revealed an overlap between the expression patterns of the three genes in hypocotyls, apical meristems, young leaves, vascular tissue, axillary buds, cauline leaves, and cauline leaf nodes at different developmental stages. AtKinesin 13B mutants did not exhibit a differential phenotype when compared with controls; however, both HaHB11 and AtHB7 overexpressor plants lost, partially or totally, their differential phenotypic characteristics when crossed with such mutants. Altogether, the results indicated that Kinesin 13B is essential for the homeodomain-leucine zipper transcription factors I to exert their functions, probably via regulation of the intracellular distribution of these transcription factors by the motor protein.

Mapping QTLs for 15 morpho-metric traits in Arabidopsis thaliana using Col-0 × Don-0 population.

Genome wide quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was conducted in Arabidopsis thaliana using F2 mapping population (Col-0 × Don-0) and SNPs markers. A total of five linkage groups were obtained with number of SNPs varying from 45 to 59 per linkage group. The composite interval mapping detected a total of 36 QTLs for 15 traits and the number of QTLs ranged from one (root length, root dry biomass, cauline leaf width, number of internodes and internode distance) to seven (for bolting days). The range of phenotypic variance explained (PVE) and logarithm of the odds ratio of these 36 QTLs was found be 0.19-38.17% and 3.0-6.26 respectively. Further, the epistatic interaction detected one main effect QTL and four epistatic QTLs. Five major QTLs viz. Qbd.nbri.4.3, Qfd.nbri.4.2, Qrdm.nbri.5.1, Qncl.nbri.2.2, Qtd.nbri.4.1 with PVE > 15.0% might be useful for fine mapping to identify genes associated with respective traits, and also for development of specialized population through marker assisted selection. The identification of additive and dominant effect QTLs and desirable alleles of each of above mentioned traits would also be important for future research.

Spatial protein expression of Panax ginseng by in-depth proteomic analysis for ginsenoside biosynthesis and transportation

BackgroundPanax ginseng, as one of the most widely used herbal medicines worldwide, has been studied comprehensively in terms of the chemical components and pharmacology. The proteins from ginseng are also of great importance for both nutrition value and the mechanism of secondary metabolites. However, the proteomic studies are less reported in the absence of the genome information. With the completion of ginseng genome sequencing, the proteome profiling has become available for the functional study of ginseng protein components. MethodsWe optimized the protein extraction process systematically by using SDS-PAGE and one-dimensional liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The extracted proteins were then analyzed by two-dimensional chromatography separation and cutting-edge mass spectrometry technique. ResultsA total of 2,732 and 3,608 proteins were identified from ginseng root and cauline leaf, respectively, which was the largest data set reported so far. Only around 50% protein overlapped between the cauline leaf and root tissue parts because of the function assignment for plant growing. Further gene ontology and KEGG pathway revealed the distinguish difference between ginseng root and leaf, which accounts for the photosynthesis and metabolic process. With in-deep analysis of functional proteins related to ginsenoside synthesis, we interestingly found the cytochrome P450 and UDP-glycosyltransferase expression extensively in cauline leaf but not in the root, indicating that the post glucoside synthesis of ginsenosides might be carried out when growing and then transported to the root at withering. ConclusionThe systematically proteome analysis of Panax ginseng will provide us comprehensive understanding of ginsenoside synthesis and guidance for artificial cultivation.