Abstract: In order to investigate the differential protein expression profile of hemp seeds at different germination periods, we analyzed the protein components of hemp seeds at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h of germination by label-free quantitative proteomics and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Bioinformatics analysis was also conducted to explore the distribution, function and mechanism of action of the differential proteins during the germination process. The results suggested that compared with ungerminated seeds, a total of 86, 106, 135 and 158 differential proteins >1.5 folds, P < 0.05) were identified at four time points of germination. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that the differential proteins participated in important biological processes such as metabolic process, cellular process and single organism process. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these proteins were involved in the biosynthesis of amino acids, carbon metabolism, 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis.

Key words: hemp seeds; liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; differential protein