The GbbZIP41 transcription factor participates in terpene trilactones biosynthesis in Ginkgo biloba L.

Terpene trilactones (TTLs) are important secondary metabolites in ginkgo tree ( Ginkgo biloba ), which play a crucial role in the treatment of human cardiovascular disease and prevention of thrombosis, and have been widely used in food, medicine and health products. However, there are few studies on the transcriptional modulation of TTLs biosynthesis and gene regulatory network of TTLs biosynthesis remains unclear. Here, we screened the transcription factor GbbZIP41 that may be involved in the biosynthesis of TTLs and verified its function by transgenic technology. The results showed that GbbZIP41 is a protein located in the nucleus and encodes 477 amino acids, which is highly expressed in G. biloba leaves. The analysis of total terpene content and GbbZIP41 gene expression in G. biloba leaves showed the opposite trend. In addition, the overexpression of GbbZIP41 gene in tobacco reduced the content of terpenoids and down-regulated the enzyme genes of MVA pathway and MEP pathway. Therefore, these results suggested that GbbZIP41 negatively regulates the biosynthesis of TTLs by inhibiting key enzyme genes in the TTLs synthesis pathway. • MeJA treatment for 48 h can reduce the content of TTLs. • Heterologous expression of GbbZIP41 in tobacco reduced the content of terpenoids. • Overexpressing GbbZIP41 in tobacco alter MVA and MEP pathways gene expression levels. • GbbZIP41 -mediated regulation of terpene trilactones biosynthesis is hypothesized.