LC-MS reveals Sequoia-rejuvenating proteins

Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been used to indicate the proteins with rejuvenating effects for Sequoia sempervirens (D Don) Endl.

A team of scientists led by representatives of the National Taiwan University explain that Sequoia shoots must be grafted repeatedly after cultivation over 16 and 30 years to restore rooting competence.

However, their studies have now uncovered a potential link between rejuvenation, protein expression patterns and a specific component of the genetic make-up of the plant.

They say their findings suggest "that this gene is involved in the rejuvenation of Sequoia sempervirens".

Using LC-MS allowed three proteins to be identified in all, each of which accumulated differently during distinct stages of rejuvenation.

The findings are published in Proteome Science, which addresses all aspects of cell and developmental biology as approached through the disciplines of structural and functional proteomic analysis, along with some coverage of related research areas.