Effect of Methyl Jasmonate on the Terpene Trilactones, Flavonoids, and Phenolic Acids in Ginkgo biloba L. Leaves: Relevance to Leaf Senescence

The present study compared the effects of natural senescence and methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) treatment on the levels of terpene trilactones (TTLs; ginkgolides and bilobalide), phenolic acids, and flavonoids in the primary organs of Ginkgo biloba leaves, leaf blades, and petioles. Levels of the major TTLs, ginkgolides B and C, were significantly higher in the leaf blades of naturally senesced yellow leaves harvested on 20 October compared with green leaves harvested on 9 September. In petioles, a similar effect was found, although the levels of these compounds were almost half as high. These facts indicate the importance of the senescence process on TTL accumulation. Some flavonoids and phenolic acids also showed changes in content related to maturation or senescence. Generally, the application of JA-Me slightly but substantially increased the levels of TTLs in leaf blades irrespective of the difference in its application side on the leaves. Of the flavonoids analyzed, levels of quercetin, rutin, quercetin-4-glucoside, apigenin, and luteolin were dependent on the JA-Me application site, whereas levels of (+) catechin and (−) epicatechin were not. Application of JA-Me increased ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid esters in the petiole but decreased the levels of these compounds in the leaf blade. The content of p-coumaric acid glycosides and caffeic acid esters was only slightly modified by JA-Me. In general, JA-Me application affected leaf senescence by modifying the accumulation of ginkogolides, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. These effects were also found to be different in leaf blades and petioles. Based on JA-Me- and aging-related metabolic changes in endogenous levels of the secondary metabolites in G. biloba leaves, we discussed the results of study in the context of basic research and possible practical application.

Screening and identification of miRNAs related to sexual differentiation of strobili in Ginkgo biloba by integration analysis of small RNA, RNA, and degradome sequencing

BACKGROUND

Ginkgo biloba, a typical dioecious plant, is a traditional medicinal plant widely planted. However, it has a long juvenile period, which severely affected the breeding and cultivation of superior ginkgo varieties.

RESULTS

In order to clarify the complex mechanism of sexual differentiation in G. biloba strobili. Here, a total of 3293 miRNAs were identified in buds and strobili of G. biloba, including 1085 known miRNAs and 2208 novel miRNAs using the three sequencing approaches of transcriptome, small RNA, and degradome. Comparative transcriptome analysis screened 4346 and 7087 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in male buds (MB) _vs_ female buds (FB) and microstrobilus (MS) _vs_ ovulate strobilus (OS), respectively. A total of 6032 target genes were predicted for differentially expressed miRNA. The combined analysis of both small RNA and transcriptome datasets identified 51 miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs that may be involved in the process of G. biloba strobili sexual differentiation, of which 15 pairs were verified in the analysis of degradome sequencing.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive analysis of the small RNA, RNA and degradome sequencing data in this study provided candidate genes and clarified the regulatory mechanism of sexual differentiation of G. biloba strobili from multiple perspectives.

Ginkgo agroforestry practices alter the fungal community structures at different soil depths in Eastern China

Agroforestry practices aim to achieve environmentally friendly land use. Fungi play a primarily role in soil organic carbon and nutrient maintenance, while the response of the soil fungi community to land use changes is little explored. Here, a high-throughput sequencing method was applied to understand the fungal community structure distinction in ginkgo agroforestry systems and adjacent croplands and nurseries. Our results showed that the agroforestry systems achieved better soil fertility and carbon contents. The agroforestry practices significantly altered the composition of soil fungal communities comparing with pure gingko plantation, adjacent cropland, and nursery. The dominant fungal phyla were always Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The relative abundance of Ascomycota was correlated with the TN and AP, while the abundance of Basidiomycota was negatively correlated with the TN and NN. The soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen explained 59.80% and 63.36% of the total variance in the fungal community composition in the topsoil and subsoil, and the available phosphorus also played a key role in the topsoil. Considering soil fertility maintenance and fungal community survival and stability, the agroforestry systems achieved better results, and the ginkgo and wheat system was the best among the five planting systems we studied. In the ginkgo and wheat system, applying readily available mineral nitrogen fertilizer either alone or in combination with organic amendments will improve the soil quality and fertility.

Determination and Comparison of 4'- O-Methylpyridoxine Analogues in Ginkgo biloba Seeds at Different Growth Stages

The antivitamin B₆, 4'- O-methylpyridoxine (MPN); its glucoside, 4'- O-methylpyridoxine-5'-glucoside (MPNG); and vitamin B₆ compounds, including pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxamine, pyridoxine, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), and pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate, exist in Ginkgo biloba seeds, which are widely used as food and medicine. This work aimed to determine the MPN analogues in G. biloba seeds at different growth stages in terms of cultivars and ages of trees. The highest total MPN contents of 249.30, 295.62, and 267.85 μg/g were obtained in the mature stages of three selected G. biloba samples. The total contents of vitamin B₆ compounds decreased significantly in the entire growth period of the three samples. Principal-component analysis revealed that MPN and MPNG were important contributors in the MPN-analogue metabolism of G. biloba seeds. The influence of the cultivar on the content and composition of MPN analogues was greater than that of the age of the G. biloba tree.

Isolation and functional characterization of a circadian-regulated CONSTANS homolog (GbCO) from Ginkgo biloba

This is the first report to clone and functionally characterize a flowering time gene GbCO in perennial gymnosperm Ginkgo biloba. GbCO complements the co mutant of Arabidopsis, restoring normal early flowering. CONSTANS (CO) is a central regulator of photoperiod pathway, which channels inputs from light, day length, and circadian clock to promote the floral transition. In order to understand the role of CO in gymnosperm Ginkgo biloba, which has a long juvenile phase (15-20 years), a CO homolog (GbCO) was isolated and characterized from G. biloba. GbCO encodes a 1741-bp gene with a predicted protein of 400 amino acids with two zinc finger domains (B-box I and B-box II) and a CCT domain. Phylogenic analysis classified GbCO into the group 1a clade of CO families in accordance with the grouping scheme for Arabidopsis CO (AtCO). Southern blot analysis indicated that GbCO belongs to a multigene family in G. biloba. Real-time PCR analysis showed that GbCO was expressed in aerial parts of Ginkgo, with the highest transcript level of GbCO being observed in shoot apexes. GbCO transcript level exhibited a strong diurnal rhythm under flowering-inductive long days and peaked during early morning, suggesting that GbCO is tightly coupled to the floral inductive long-day signal. In addition, an increasing trend of GbCO transcript level was observed both in shoot tips and leaves as the shoot growth under long-day condition, whereas GbCO transcript level decreased in both tissues under short-day condition prior to growth cessation of shoot in G. biloba. GbCO complemented the Arabidopsis co-2 mutant, restoring normal early flowering. All the evidence being taken together, our findings suggested that GbCO served as a potential inducer of flowering in G. biloba.

Root development and structure in seedlings of Ginkgo biloba

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

The popular, highly recognizable, well-known gymnosperm, Ginkgo biloba, was studied to document selected developmental features, which are little known in its primary root system from root tips to cotyledonary node following seed germination.

METHODS

Using seedlings grown in soil, vermiculite, or a mixture, we examined sections at various distances from the root cap to capture a developmental sequence of anatomical structures by using standard brightfield, epifluorescence, and confocal microscopic techniques.

KEY RESULTS

The vascular cylinder is usually a diarch stele, although modified diarchy and triarchy are found. Between exarch protoxylem poles, metaxylem usually develops into a complete disc, except near the transition region, which has irregularly arranged tracheary cells. The disc of primary xylem undergoes secondary growth on its metaxylem flanks with many tracheids added radially within a few weeks. Production of fibers in secondary phloem also accompanies secondary growth. In the cortex, endodermis produces Casparian bands early in development and continues into the upper transition region. Phi cells with phi-thickenings (bands of lignified walls) of a layer of inner cortex are often evident before endodermis, and then adjoining, additional layers of cortex develop phi cells; phi cells do not occur in the upper transition region or stem. An exodermis is produced early in root development and is continuous into the transition region and cotyledonary node.

CONCLUSIONS

Seedling root axes of Ginkgo biloba are more complex than the literature suggests, and our findings contribute to our knowledge of root structure of this ancient gymnosperm.

Cellulose structure and lignin distribution in normal and compression wood of the Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba L.)

We studied in detail the mean microfibril angle and the width of cellulose crystals from the pith to the bark of a 15-year-old Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba L.). The orientation of cellulose microfibrils with respect to the cell axis and the width and length of cellulose crystallites were determined using X-ray diffraction. Raman microscopy was used to compare the lignin distribution in the cell wall of normal/opposite and compression wood, which was found near the pith. Ginkgo biloba showed a relatively large mean microfibril angle, varying between 19° and 39° in the S2 layer, and the average width of cellulose crystallites was 3.1-3.2 nm. Mild compression wood without any intercellular spaces or helical cavities was observed near the pith. Slit-like bordered pit openings and a heavily lignified S2L layer confirmed the presence of compression wood. Ginkgo biloba showed typical features present in the juvenile wood of conifers. The microfibril angle remained large over the 14 annual rings. The entire stem disc, with a diameter of 18 cm, was considered to consist of juvenile wood. The properties of juvenile and compression wood as well as the cellulose orientation and crystalline width indicate that the wood formation of G. biloba is similar to that of modern conifers.

Direct assessment of phytochemicals inherent in plant tissues using extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

An ambient pressure ionization mass spectrometric strategy called internal extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (iEESI-MS) has been developed and applied for direct profiling of labile phytochemicals inherent in various native plant tissues, including leaves, roots, and fruits. By passing the electrospray solvent through the plant tissue, a variety of phytochemicals, such as amino acids, sugars (e.g., glucose, sucrose, polysaccharides, etc.), and alkaloids, were continuously extracted from the sample interior, driven toward the natural/cut electro-spraying tip, and vaporized into gaseous ions for mass spectrometric interrogation. Phytochemical patterns obtained by iEESI-MS permit a rapid differentiation between various species of ginkgo plant and strawberry maturity stages, as well as characterization of physiological/pathologic conditions of chlorophytum comosum. Our experimental results further demonstrate that the established iEESI-MS approach is potentially useful for direct phytochemomics studies with minimal biodegradation, allowing elucidation of plant metabolism with high speed, specificity, and simplicity of analysis.

Branch architecture in Ginkgo biloba: wood anatomy and long shoot-short shoot interactions

PREMISE

Ginkgo, centrally placed in seed plant phylogeny, is considered important in many phylogenetic and evolutionary studies. Shoot dimorphism of Ginkgo has been long noted, but no work has yet been done to evaluate the relationships between overall branch architecture and wood ring characters, shoot growth, and environmental conditions. •

METHODS

Branches, sampled from similar canopy heights, were mapped with the age of each long shoot segment determined by counting annual leaf-scar series on its short shoots. Transverse sections were made for each long shoot segment and an adjacent short shoot; wood ring thickness, number of rings, and number of tracheids/ring were determined. Using branch maps, we identified wood rings for each long shoot segment to year and developmental context of each year (distal short shoot growth only vs. at least one distal long shoot). Climate data were also analyzed in conjunction with developmental context. •

KEY RESULTS

Significantly thicker wood rings occur in years with distal long shoot development. The likelihood that a branch produced long shoots in a given year was lower with higher maximum annual temperature. Annual maximum temperature was negatively correlated with ring thickness in microsporangiate trees only. Annual minimum temperatures were correlated differently with ring thickness of megasporangiate and microsporangiate trees, depending on the developmental context. There were no significant effects associated with precipitation. •

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, developmental context alone predicts wood ring thickness about as well as models that include temperature. This suggests that although climatic factors may be strongly correlated with wood ring data among many gymnosperm taxa, at least for Ginkgo, correlations with climate data are primarily due to changes in proportions of shoot developmental types (LS vs. SS) across branches.

Elemental analysis of Ginkgo biloba leaf samples collected during one vegetation period

The object of our work was the identification and quantification of inorganic elements in Ginkgo biloba L. leaves (Ginkgonis folium, Ginkgoaceae) by X-ray fluorescence analysis. The plant material was obtained from a 50-years-old female tree at the Comenius University Botanical Garden (Bratislava, Slovakia). Leaves were collected from early May to late September, with the last sample consisting of fallen leaves. The elements analyzed were: phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium, scandium, iron, zinc, yttrium, molybdenum, tellurium, samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, iridium, thallium and lead. The amounts of the monitored heavy metals were below the limits specified in Ph. Eur. 7 and PhS 1.

Improving flavonoid extraction from Ginkgo biloba leaves by prefermentation processing

This paper presents a prefermentation treatment method involving fungi to improve flavonoid extraction from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba . The fungi employed for this treatment were screened from the soil present under an ancient ginkgo tree. Seventy-six strains belonging to 23 genera were isolated and identified by a molecular identification method employing 18S rDNA sequences. Thirty-three strains grew well using ginkgo leaves as the growth medium. One strain, Gyx086, with higher extracted yield of flavonoids and more similar to the control, was finally selected for prefermentation processing. The major fermentation factors were optimized by response surface methodology. The optimal conditions for the highest total falvonoid yield were 27.8 °C for temperature, 64.2% for moisture content, and 61 h for fermentation time. Under the optimal condition, a actual total flavonoid yield of 27.59 ± 0.52 mg/g dry weight culture sample was obtained, which was about 70% higher than that of unfermented gingko leaf samples.

[Chlorophyll fluorescence transient kinetics of ginkgo leaves during expansion]

OBJECTIVE

To provide the theoretical basis for cultivating ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba).

METHODS

Changes of chlorophyll fluorescence transient kinetics in chloroplasts of 10-year-old seeded ginkgo leaves during expansion were studied in the field under natural environmental conditions.

RESULTS

W(k) peaked between 12: 00 - 15: 00, phiE(o) and psi(o) declined gradually between 8: 00 - 12: 00. ABS/ RC,TR(o)/RC and DI(o)/RC increased, while RC/CS decreased at noon. PI(abs) and F(v)/F(m) declined and reached its lowest value at 13:00, then increased, and the levels at 19:00 could restore to the levels at 7: 00.

CONCLUSION

The donor and acceptor sides of PS II are temporarily inhibited. The reaction centers of PS II are damaged, leading to the light energy transfer efficiency of PS II decrease and excess excitation energy increase at noon. The damage of reaction centers of PS II and inhibition of photosynthetic primary reaction are reversible inactivation not irreversible damaged.

Structure and function of the tentpole in the reproductive process of Ginkgo biloba L

The tentpole is a unique structure of the female gametophyte in Ginkgo biloba; however, its exact functions in the reproductive process are unclear. In the present study, we used semi-thin sectioning and electron microscopy to study the structure and function of the tentpole during fertilization in G. biloba. The tentpole was always initiated between two or more deeply immersed archegonia. Before fertilization, the tentpole had developed into a column-like structure, protruding toward the archegonial chamber; cells at the periphery of tentpole were loosely ranged, and abundant lipid droplets and starch grains were accumulated in the tentpole cells. After fertilization, the tentpole degenerated, and some membranous debris was overlaid on its surface. In addition, there were significant decreases in the lipids and starch grains. These results suggested that the tentpole led to the degeneration of the megaspore membrane and then supported the pliable apex of the nucellar tissues. Importantly, the tentpole also contributed to supplying nutrition for fertilization and embryo development.

Evidence for the persistence of wild Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) populations in the Dalou Mountains, southwestern China

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

The possible persistence of wild Ginkgo biloba populations in China has long been debated but never scientifically confirmed. We test our hypothesis that the extant Ginkgo populations in the Dalou Mountains (SW China) represent fragments of the original natural Ginkgo range and offer a range of pertinent perspectives on the living fossil Ginkgo's history, prehistory, ecology, and place in human culture-all important aspects of this highly valued species.

METHODS

We analyzed the vegetation of the study area, determined the population age structure of Ginkgo, and compared it to existing fossil records. For supporting material, we also examined records of the lack of human presence before the mid-17th century in the area, the local people's beliefs regarding preservation of the forests and existing genetic studies.

KEY RESULTS

Current species composition of Ginkgo forests in the Dalou Mountains agrees closely with floristic assemblages from fossil records bearing G. biloba. Current populations are found in habitats similar to those of fossil Ginkgo, which, as today, favored rock crevices. Female to male ratios are 3:2. Estimated ages for many of the trees show that Ginkgo was present in this area prior to human settlement and indigenous peoples of this area are unlikely to have planted Ginkgo because of traditional beliefs. Our results agree with existing genetic studies that show that these mountains were glacial refugia for G. biloba.

CONCLUSIONS

The corroborative evidence confirms the finding that these populations represent fragments of the original natural Ginkgo in the valley and lower mountain slopes of the Dalou Mountains.

Developmental pattern of Ginkgo biloba levopimaradiene synthase (GbLPS) as probed by promoter analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana

Levopimaradiene synthase (GbLPS) of Ginkgo biloba catalyzes the first committed step in ginkgolide biosynthesis by converting geranylgeranyl diphosphate into levopimaradiene, which subsequently undergoes complex oxidation step and rearrangement of carbon skeleton, leading to formation of ginkgolides. To assess the organ-specificity and developmental characteristics of GbLPS expression, the GbLPS promoter-driven GUS expression in transgenic Arabidopsis was studied. Histological analysis of the transgenic Arabidopsis plant showed that the GUS accumulation was mainly localized in the epidermis of leaves, phloem of the shoots, ovaries and stamens of flowers, and vasculature of roots. These observations correlate with the occurrence of LPS transcripts in roots and male strobili of G. biloba. Treatment of methyl jasmonate on the transformant exhibited significant upregulation of the reporter gene in the roots with little change in leaves and flowers. The present findings support biosynthesis of ginkgolide in the roots of Ginkgo plant and suggest translocation occurs through the phloem.

A new species of Scirtothrips infesting Ginkgo biloba in eastern China

A new thrips species, Scirtothrips ginkgoe Mirab-balou, Tong, and Chen, sp. n. (Thripidae: Thripinae) from Eastern China, collected on the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae), is described and illustrated based on the male and female adult stage and the larva.

Differences in the scaling of area and mass of Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) leaves and their relevance to the study of specific leaf area

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

The manner in which the area of the leaf lamina (A) scales with respect to the dry mass of the lamina (M) is an important functional trait that is correlated with whole-plant growth rates and habitat preferences across diverse species. However, the extent to which the scaling between these two variables differs among leaves collected from different types of shoots within the canopy of a tree is poorly understood. Should they exist, significant differences in the A vs. M scaling relationship within canopies would raise a number of important questions, in particular what constitutes an adequate sampling procedure to determine the whole-canopy A vs. M relationship.

METHODS

To address this issue, we used a large data set representing 13 biologically distinct categories of leaves sampled from mega- and microsporangiate trees of the dioecious gymnosperm Ginkgo biloba.

KEY RESULTS

Analyses of the data for these 13 categories of leaves identify seven statistically significantly different modes of A vs. M scaling that result in significant differences in how specific leaf area (SLA) changes as M varies within the canopies of Ginkgo.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the protocols used to sample leaves for the analysis of foliar functional traits such as specific leaf area need to acknowledge and cope with the effects of leaf and shoot polymorphisms on the quantification of functional traits (and on the construction and testing of hypotheses about these traits).

Cryopreservation of Ginkgo biloba cell culture: effect of pretreatment with sucrose and ABA

The report describes the impact of preculture with sucrose and sucrose + ABA on desiccation and cryopreservation tolerance of cell cultures of Ginkgo biloba L., an important landscape and medicinal tree. Callus clumps were incubated on MS medium supplemented with high sucrose concentrations (up to 24 percent, w/v), employed alone or with ABA (2-10 mg per L) for various durations followed by desiccation for 0-240 min and cryopreservation. The beneficial effect of preculture on regrowth after desiccation without cryopreservation was only observed for the cells with water content of 20 percent FW and was not influenced by presence of ABA. However, preculture of calli in presence of ABA resulted in a lower desiccation rate as compared with untreated controls and calli pretreated with sucrose alone. In calli precultured with sucrose alone, post-thaw regrowth was occasional regardless of the sugar concentration in the medium, while pretreatment of calli with ABA and sucrose ensured stable regrowth after cryopreservation. The highest post-thaw regrowth of 54 percent was achieved for calli precultured on medium supplemented with 10 percent (w/v) sucrose and 2 mg per L ABA for 21 days followed by desiccation for 150 min. The different effects of preculture treatments on post-thaw regrowth were associated with significant changes in content and in composition of endogenous soluble sugars in calli. Sucrose and glucose accumulated preferentially in ABA-precultured calli, while the fructose content was higher in calli precultured in absence of ABA. The possible role of preculture on desiccation and cryopreservation tolerance of G. biloba cell cultures is discussed.

Genetic relationships of ornamental cultivars of Ginkgo biloba analyzed by AFLP techniques

Eight primer combinations that produced clear and a large number of polymorphic bands were screened from 64 EcoR I/Mse I primer combinations (Mse I fluorescent labeled). The genetic relationships of 21 ornamental cultivars of Ginkgo biloba L. from the United States of America, Holland, Japan, France, and China were analyzed. These primer combinations produced a total of 1 119 bands, 229 specific loci (including 54 absent bands, and 175 monomorphic bands). Among them, 983 polymorphic bands (PPB), accounting for 88%, were detected. The percentage of identification per primer combination was as high as 100%. The average PPB of 14 foreign cultivars was 35.86% and the average PPB of seven domestic cultivars was 31.51%. Genetic similarity coefficient (SC) among all cultivars varied from 0.4899 to 0.8499, and all cultivars were divided into the four clusters when SC was set at 0.7300. The cultivars from the same origin did not fall into the same group. The cultivars from France and China were classified into three groups. According to the comprehensive analyses based on specific loci, similarity coefficient, and clustering results, eight cultivars 'Fastigiata', 'Tit', 'Tubifolia', 'Daeryinxing', 'Variegata', 'Horizontalis, 'Pendula', and 'Yiyuanyeziyinxing' were considered to be important germplasms of ornamental cultivars of Ginkgo biloba.

[Studies on dynamic change of total ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo biloba leaves of different aged trees and different collecting seasons]

OBJECTIVE

To study dynamic change of total ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo biloba leaves of the different aged trees and different collecting seasons.

METHOD

The content of total ginkgolic acids in G. biloba leaves was determined by HPLC. A Alltima C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) and the mobile phase of methanol and 1% acetic acid (90:10) were used, the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the wavelength was 310 nm. The content were calculated with external standard method.

RESULT

The content of total ginkgolic acids in G. biloba leaves was in the range of 0.48% to 2.51% in different collecting seasons. The content reached maximum at the end of May and the beginning of June, and then declined gradually. In different aged trees, the content in the older ages was lower than that in the younger ages.

CONCLUSION

The results provide scientific basis for the collecting season of G. biloba leaves.

[Effects of root-excision on trunk hydraulic traits and growth status of Ginkgo biloba]

The roots of 8-year-old Ginkgo biloba saplings were partially excised to three degrees to study the effects of root-excision on the trunk hydraulic traits and growth status of the saplings. The three degrees were severe, medium, and light (8:1, 10:1, and 12:1 of excised root diameter to base diameter of tree trunk, respectively). Physiological parameters including trunk ultrasound acoustic emission (UAE) signal, branch percentage loss of hydraulic conductance (PLC), sap flow flux, and leaf stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and water potential were measured periodically after root-excision. In all treatments, a great number of trunk UAE signal produced after a short time of root-excision, peaked at 6 h, and decreased gradually then. The intensity of the UAE signals increased with increasing root-excision degree. After root-excision, the branch PLC increased rapidly in the first 12 h but slowly after 24 h. The sap flow flux, leaf stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and water potential after root-excision decreased obviously, with significant differences among the three treatments. The cumulative number of UAE signals (cUAE) was significantly and positively correlated with branch embolism degree, while negatively correlated with sap flow flux and leaf water potential. The leaf area and new branch length of G. biloba in the next year after root-excision decreased significantly, and the decrement was increased with root-excision degree. Root-excision not only made the degrees of conduits cavitation and branch embolism increased, but also affected water transportation and leaf transpiration rate within a short period of time, which would in turn give an impact on G. biloba plant growth.

Light and temperature regulation of greening in dark-grown ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

The last steps of chlorophyll (Chl) biosynthesis were studied at different light intensities and temperatures in dark-germinated ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) seedlings. Pigment contents and 77 K fluorescence emission spectra were measured and the plastid ultrastructure was analysed. All dark-grown organs contained protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) forms with similar spectral properties to those of dark-grown angiosperm seedlings, but the ratios of these forms to each other were different. The short-wavelength, monomeric Pchlide forms were always dominating. Etioplasts with small prolamellar bodies (PLBs) and few prothylakoids (PTs) differentiated in the dark-grown stems. Upon illumination with high light intensities (800 micromol m(-2) s(-1) photon flux density, PFD), photo-oxidation and bleaching occurred in the stems and the presence of (1)O(2) was detected. When Chl accumulated in plants illuminated with 15 micromol m(-2) s(-1) PFD it was significantly slower at 10 degrees C than at 20 degrees C. At room temperature, the transformation of etioplasts into young chloroplasts was observed at low light, while it was delayed at 10 degrees C. Grana did not appear in the plastids even after 48 h of greening at 20 degrees C. Reaccumulation of Pchlide forms and re-formation of PLBs occurred when etiolated samples were illuminated with 200 micromol m(-2) s(-1) PFD at room temperature for 24 h and were then re-etiolated for 5 days. The Pchlide forms appeared during re-etiolation had similar spectral properties to those of etiolated seedlings. These results show that ginkgo seedlings are very sensitive to temperature and light conditions during their greening, a fact that should be considered for ginkgo cultivation.

[Study on dynamical changes of Ginkgo biloba resources in Pizhou city of Jiangsu Province base on RS and GIS]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the dynamical changes of the Ginkgo biloba's resources from 2001 to 2006, in Pizhou city, Jiangshu province by useing spatial analytical function of GIS and RS technology.

METHOD

Use the GIS and RS technology, extracted the information of G. biloba by scientific investigation, researched the spatial distribution and dynamical changes of G. biloba based on landsat 5 TM: the Apr. 3rd, 2001; Jan. 16th, 2005; July 30th, 2006.

RESULT

Ginkgo biloba's resource was 1.61 x 10(5) hm2 in 2001, 1.84 x 10(5) hm2 in 2005, 1.88 x 10(5) hm2 in 2006.

CONCLUSION

Ginkgo biloba's resource rised from 1.61 x 10(5) hm2 to 1.88 x 10(5) hm2 from 2001 to 2006, showed the gradually rise.

Time course of expression of chalcone synthase gene in Ginkgo biloba

Chalcone synthase (CHS) catalyses the first and key regulatory step of flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. A chalcone synthase gene was isolated from Ginkgo biloba leaves using the method of rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA, designated as GbCHS2, is 1,608 bp in length (GenBank accession No. DQ054841) and contains an open reading frame of 1,173 bp encoding a protein of 391 amino acids. Alignment of the predicted amino acid sequence of GbCHS2 has been shown to have high sequence similarity with GbCHS1. All the active sites and active site motifs in GbCHS1 protein were also found in GbCHS2. Correlation analysis between CHS activity and flavonoid accumulation during ginkgo leaf growth indicated that CHS might be the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis pathway of flavonoids in ginkgo leaves. Results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that flavonoid accumulation paralleled the transcription level of change in chs gene, suggesting chs gene as the specific key gene regulating flavonoid accumulation in ginkgo leaves.

[Study on pharmacognosy of Ginkgo leaf]

The primary study of Ginkgo leaf such as crude drug macroscopic and powder characteristics were carried out, and the flavonoids content in the leaf of Ginkgo in different areas of Gansu province was determined by HPLC, in order to provide scientific references for the exploitation of Ginkgo in Gansu province.

The anatomy of the chi-chi of Ginkgo biloba suggests a mode of elongation growth that is an alternative to growth driven by an apical meristem

The chi-chi of Ginkgo biloba L. are cylindrical woody structures that grow downwards from the branches and trunks of old trees, eventually entering the soil where they give rise to adventitious shoots and roots. Examination of segments of young chi-chi taken from a mature ginkgo tree revealed an internal woody portion with irregular growth rings of tracheid-containing secondary xylem covered by a vascular cambium and bark. The cambium was composed of both fusiform cells and parenchymatous ray cells. Near the tip of the chi-chi, these two types of cambial cells had orientations ranging between axial, radial and circumferential with respect to the cylindrical form of the chi-chi. The xylem rays and tracheids that derived from the cambium showed correspondingly variable orientations. Towards the base of the chi-chi, the fusiform cells and young tracheids were aligned parallel to the axis, indicating that the orientation of the cambial cells in basal regions of the chi-chi gradually became normalised as the tip of the chi-chi extended forwards. Nevertheless, in such basal sites, tracheids near the centre of the chi-chi showed variable orientations in accordance with their mode of formation during the early stages of chi-chi development. The initiation of a chi-chi is proposed to derive from a localised hyperactivity of vascular cambial-cell production in the supporting stem. The chi-chi elongates by tip growth, but it does so in a manner different from organ growth driven by an apical meristem. It is suggested that the chi-chi of Ginkgo is an "evolutionary experiment" that makes use of the vascular cambium, not only for its widening growth but also for its elongation.

Formation of archegonium chamber is associated with nucellar-cell programmed cell death in Ginkgo biloba

The archegonium chamber in Ginkgo biloba L. is a pathway for spermatozoids swimming towards the archegonium for fertilization. The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of archegonium chamber formation. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and DNA ladder demonstrated that the nucellar cell death, coordinated with the archegonium chamber formation, was a process of programmed cell death. Cytochemical localization of Ca(2+) in these nucellar cells was determined by means of in situ precipitation with potassium pyroantimonate and electron microscopic visualization, in order to study the relation between Ca(2+) and programmed cell death. The results showed an early uptake of the mitochondrial calcium particles in the nucellar cells undergoing programmed cell death. Together with other dynamic changes in Ca(2+) subcellular distribution, this indicates that Ca(2+) may play a role in the regulation of mitochondria-mediated programmed events in the nucellar cells.

Distinct developmental mechanisms reflect the independent origins of leaves in vascular plants

Vascular plants diverged more than 400 million years ago into two lineages, the lycophytes and the euphyllophytes . Leaf-like organs evolved independently in these two groups . Microphylls in lycophytes are hypothesized to have originated as lateral outgrowths of tissue that later became vascularized (the enation theory) or through the sterilization of sporangia (the sterilization hypothesis) . Megaphylls in euphyllophytes are thought to represent modified lateral branches . The fossil record also indicates that the seed plant megaphyll evolved uniquely in the ancestor of seed plants, independent of megaphylls in ferns, because seed plants evolved from leafless progymnosperm ancestors . Surprisingly, a recent study of KNOX and ARP gene expression in a lycophyte was reported to indicate recruitment of a similar mechanism for determinacy in both types of leaves . We examined the expression of Class III HD-Zip genes in the lycophyte Selaginella kraussiana and in two gymnosperms, Ginkgo and Pseudotsuga. Our data indicate that mechanisms promoting leaf initiation, vascularization, and polarity are quite different in lycophytes and seed plants, consistent with the hypotheses that megaphylls originated as lateral branches whereas microphylls originated as tissue outgrowths.

[Study on the comparison of polysaccharides in Ginkgo biloba leaves]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the suitable tree's age, tree's sex and gathering seasons for Ginkgo biloba leaves.

METHODS

The twelve different polysaccharides were obtained by extracting and precipitating from Ginkgo biloba leaves and to see if there were differences among them. The concentration of Ginkgo biloba leaf polysaccharides with the highest gain ratio will be determined by HPLC.

RESULT

The average gain ratio of Ginkgo biloba leaf polysaccharides was 4.29%, among them the gain ratio of 10-years old female Ginkgo biloba leaf collected in the last ten days of September was the highests, its polysaccharides concentration was 61.5% with RSD = 2.5% (n = 6).

CONCLUSION

The gain ratios were different in different Ginkgo biloba leaves and the changing rules provide scientific basis for the GAP of medicinal plants.

Cloning and functional characterization of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidyltransferase (GbMECT) gene from Ginkgo biloba

2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidyltransferase (MECT), the third enzyme of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, catalyzes formation of 4-(cytidine 5'-diphospho)-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol from MEP. GbMECT, presumably involved in ginkgolide biosynthesis, was cloned and characterized from Ginkgo biloba embryonic roots. The protein containing the N-terminal chloroplast transit peptide consisted of 327 amino acid residues. Complementation of GbMECT with Escherichia coli NMW33, ygbP (EcMECT) knock-out mutant, rescued the mutant, confirming the function of the protein. Transcription levels of GbMECT remained generally constant in embryonic roots and leaves for 1 month. Full 88 N-terminal residues were necessary to deliver the protein into the chloroplast as shown by protein-targeting analysis with GFP as a reporter protein in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts.

Molecular Cloning, Characterization and Expression of a Novel Trehalose-6-phosphate Synthase Homologue from Ginkgo biloba

In many organisms, trehalose acts as protective metabolite against harsh environmental stresses, such as freezing, drought, nutrient starvation, heat and salt. Herein a cDNA (designated as GbTPS, GenBank Accession Number AY884150) encoding a trehalose-6-phosphate synthase homologue was isolated and characterized from the living fossil plant, Ginkgo biloba, which is highly tolerant to drought and cold. GbTPS encoded an 868-amino-acid polypeptide with a predicted isoelectric point of 5.83 and molecular mass of 97.9 kD. Amino acid sequence alignment revealed that GbTPS shared high identity with class II trehalose-6-phosphate synthase homologues (67% identical to AtTPS7), but had only 17% and 23% of identity with OstA from Escherichia coli and ScTPS1 from S. cerevisiae, respectively. DNA gel blot analysis indicated that GbTPS belonged to a small multi-gene family. The expression analysis by RT-PCR showed that GbTPS expressed in a tissue-specific manner in G. biloba and might involve in leaf development. GbTPS was also found to be induced by a variety of stresses including cold, salt, drought and mannitol.

[Expressions of LEAFY homologous genes in different organs and stages of Ginkgo biloba]

Expressions of Ginlfy and GinNdly gene were studied by northern blotting in different organs and stages of Ginkgo Biloba. Ginlfy gene was expressed in different organs such as root, stem, leaf of juvenile tree, male tree and female tree, and in different stages of male flower bud and female flower bud. It was inferred that Ginlfy gene could be expressed constitutionally. GinNdly gene was only expressed in leaf of juvenile tree, male tree and female tree and in different stages of male flower bud and female flower bud, while GinNdly gene was not expressed in the other organs. Therefore it was thought that GinNdly gene could be expressed differentially and be a close relation to development of flower.

[Effect of soil preparation and fertilization on foliage and shoot growth of Ginkgo biloba and its medicine content]

The study showed that the efficiency of various treatments in improving the height growth of Ginkgo biloba was organic fertilizer plus intercropping > soil preparation by blasting plus intercropping > organic fertilizer > soil preparation by blasting > intercropping, and the height growth increased by 14.5%, 8.6%, 5.7%, 3.2% and 0, respectively. The efficiency of the treatments in improving new shoot growth was organic fertilizer plus intercropping > soil preparation by blasting plus intercropping > intercropping > organic fertilizer > soil preparation by blasting, and the new shoot growth increased by 58.1%, 36.6%, 33.1%, 30.2% and 14.0%, respectively. Soil preparation, organic fertilization and intercropping had no different effect on the number of long shoots, but their effect on the numbers of short shoots and leaves was significantly different. The most efficient treatment in improving the medicine content was organic fertilization plus intercropping. Compared with control, the content of quercetin and rutin in Ginkgo biloba leaves increased by 420% and 220%, respectively.

[Studies on the cell growth, differentiation and terpene lactone accumulation in Ginkgo biloba cell suspension cultures]

To provide supports for Ginkgo biloba cell engineering for production of Terpene lactones (Ginkgolides and bilobalide), the cell suspension were established from calli induced from zygote embryos and stems of 30-day-old seedlings respectively. The relationship between cell growth, differentiation and the terpene lactone accumulation in these suspension cultures were investigated. HPLC determination indicated that, the ginkgolide B was found in the embryo derived cell suspension cultures at 0.044% of cell dry weight, and this result was the first time reported in this study. The accumulation of terpene lactone in the suspension cultures derived from both the embryo and seedling stems are effected by the level of the cell differentiation. The ginkgolide B was only found in small cell aggregates in the size smaller than 2mm, and the highest level of ginkgolide B was accumulated in cell aggregates in the size smaller than 1mm; however, the cell aggregates in the size bigger than 3mm could only produced bilobalide and ginkgolide A. In the same size aggregates of the suspension cultures the terpene lactone accumulation is strongly effected by the source of the explant. When the size of cell aggregates was in less than 1mm, the concentration of bilobalide, ginkgolide A and B in the cell suspension cultures derived from the embryos was 2, 1.4 and 0.56-fold, respectively, higher than that of cell cultures derived from seedling stems.

Ginkgo biloba retains functions of both type I and type II flowering plant phytochrome

While the photoreceptor systems of flowering plants have been well studied, the origins of these gene families and their functions are only partially understood. To begin to resolve the evolutionary origins of angiosperm photoreceptor function, we have studied the photomorphogenic responses of the early diverging gymnosperm Ginkgo biloba. Here, we describe the effects of continuous white light, red light, far-red light, and blue light on stem length, chlorophyll accumulation, Lhcb mRNA accumulation, and plastid development. Differences in the efficacy of these light regimes on de-etiolation in Ginkgo suggest separate but complementary roles for red and blue light-sensing systems. Additionally, the unique manner in which developmental regulation occurs in Ginkgo reveals a far-red high irradiance response different from both angiosperm and other gymnosperm species. We conclude from these data that Ginkgo contains a functional complement to both flowering plant type I and type II phytochromes, as well as independent blue light-sensing system(s). The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to the evolution of higher plant photoreceptors.

Analysis of the content of flavonoids, phenolic acids as well as free radicals from Ginkgo biloba L. leaves during the vegetative cycle

The content of flavonoids, total phenolic acids and free radicals has been determined respectively by Christ-Muller method, HPLC and EPR in leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. during the vegetative cycle. The relationship between these parameters has been discussed.

A 300-million-year record of atmospheric carbon dioxide from fossil plant cuticles

To understand better the link between atmospheric CO2 concentrations and climate over geological time, records of past CO2 are reconstructed from geochemical proxies. Although these records have provided us with a broad picture of CO2 variation throughout the Phanerozoic eon (the past 544 Myr), inconsistencies and gaps remain that still need to be resolved. Here I present a continuous 300-Myr record of stomatal abundance from fossil leaves of four genera of plants that are closely related to the present-day Ginkgo tree. Using the known relationship between leaf stomatal abundance and growing season CO2 concentrations, I reconstruct past atmospheric CO2 concentrations. For the past 300 Myr, only two intervals of low CO2 (<1,000 p.p.m.v.) are inferred, both of which coincide with known ice ages in Neogene (1-8 Myr) and early Permian (275-290 Myr) times. But for most of the Mesozoic era (65-250 Myr), CO2 levels were high (1,000-2,000 p.p.m.v.), with transient excursions to even higher CO2 (>2,000 p.p.m.v.) concentrations. These results are consistent with some reconstructions of past CO2 (refs 1, 2) and palaeotemperature records, but suggest that CO2 reconstructions based on carbon isotope proxies may be compromised by episodic outbursts of isotopically light methane. These results support the role of water vapour, methane and CO2 in greenhouse climate warming over the past 300 Myr.

Long-term growth of Ginkgo with CO(2) enrichment increases leaf ice nucleation temperatures and limits recovery of the photosynthetic system from freezing

The importance of subzero temperature interactions with elevated CO(2) on plant carbon metabolism has received rather little attention, despite their likely role in influencing future vegetation productivity and dynamics. Here we focused on the critical issues of CO(2)-enrichment effects on leaf-freezing temperatures, subsequent membrane damage, and recovery of the photosynthetic system. We show that growth in elevated CO(2) (70 Pa) results in a substantial and significant (P<0.01) increase (up to 4 degrees C) in the ice nucleation temperature of leaves of Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), which was observed consistently throughout the 1999 growing season relative to their ambient CO(2) (35 Pa) counterparts. We suggest that increased sensitivity of leaves to ice damage after growth in elevated CO(2) provides an explanation for increased photoinhibition observed in the field early and late in the growing season when low nighttime temperatures are experienced. This new mechanism is proposed in addition to the earlier postulated explanation for this phenomenon involving a reduction in the rate of triose-P utilization owing to a decrease in the rate of carbohydrate export from the leaf.

[Seed growth characteristics of Ginkgo biloba and its physiological change]

The length, width, volume and weight of Ginkgo biloba seed were measured, and the concentrations of water, sugars, fatty acids and amino acids in seed growth process were analyzed. A typical "S" seed growth curve was found, and the length, width, volume, weight and absolute water content all showed the similar changes during growing period. With the growing of ssed, the concentrations of physiological substances in seeds showed regular changes and had their own characteristics. The total amount of sugars appeared to be an increasing trend at the later stage of seed growth, indicating that sugars are the main nutrition substance accumulated in seeds. The concentrations of various substances in matured seeds were starch 8.4%, glucose 6.7%, fructose 4.2%, polysaccharide 0.02%, disaccharide 0.01%, myristic acid 10.6%, palmitic acid 4.1%, flax acid 2.4%, stearic acid 1.9%, oleic acid 1.1%, and linoleic acid 0.4%. Fifteen types of free amino acids were detected in matured seeds, with total content of 1.56 g.100 g-1FW. Among them, lysine aspartic acid, alanine, arginine, histidine, glutamic acid, and isoleucine were dominant, and their concentrations were 0.287%, 0.163%, 0.136%, 0.133%, 0.123%, 0.115%, 0.095%, respectively.

Studies on the callus cultures of Ginkgo biloba and its metabolites-ginkgolides

The production of ginkgolides in callus culture of Ginkgo biloba was reported. The affection of some physical factors and chemical substances on the induction and growth of calli was also investigated. A biologically quantitative method (platelet aggregation induced by PAF) and HPLC were successfully used for the determination of Ginkgolides A and B in all kinds of callus cultures. The result showed that the content of Ginkgolides B in the callus cultures varies from 0.005% to 0.01%, which is one of the best results for the callus culture of G.biloba in the world.

Changes in N-linked oligosaccharides during seed development of Ginkgo biloba

Structural changes in N-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins during seed development of Ginkgo biloba have been explored to discover possible endogenous substrate(s) for the Ginko endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (endo-GB; Kimura, Y., et al. (1998) Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 62, 253-261), which should be involved in the production of high-mannose type free N-glycans. The structural analysis of the pyridylaminated oligosaccharides with a 2D sugar chain map, by ESI-MS/MS spectroscopy, showed that all N-glycans expressed on glycoproteins through the developmental stage of the Ginkgo seeds have the xylose-containing type (GlcNAc2 approximately 0Man3Xyl1Fuc1 approximately 0GlcNAc2) but no high-mannose type structure. Man3Xyl1Fuc1GlcNAc2, a typical plant complex type structure especially found in vacuolar glycoproteins, was a dominant structure through the seed development, while the amount of expression of GlcNAc2Man3Xyl1Fuc1GlcNAc2 and GlcNAc1Man3Xyl1Fuc1GlcNAc2 decreased as the seeds developed. The dominantly occurrence of xylose-containing type structures and the absence of the high-mannose type structures on Ginkgo glycoproteins were also shown by lectin-blotting and immunoblotting of SDS-soluble glycoproteins extracted from the developing seeds at various developmental stages. Concerning the endogenous substrates for plant endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, these results suggested that the endogenous substrates might be the dolicol-oligosaccharide intermediates or some glycopeptides with the high-mannose type N-glycan(s) derived from misfolded glycoproteins in the quality control system for newly synthesized glycoproteins.

[Habitats and present situations of 13 rare precious medicinal materials in Funiu mountains]

The living resources are very abound in the Funiu mountains area because of its special geographical position and climate, and there are also many rare precious living beings and Chinese medicinal herbs, for example, Taxus mairei, Ginkgo biloba, Gastrodia elata, Dendrobium huashanense, Physochlaina infunbularis, Cypripedium japonicum, Dysosma versipellis, Moschus moschiferus, Megalobatrachus davidanus, Succinum, etc, and conscious protection and rational development is an urgent task.

[Observation of female gametophyte development of Ginkgo biloba and its protoplast isolation and culture]

Results of observation showed that the female gametophyte of Ginkgo biloba was at the coenocytic stage from March 30ty to May 30ty. A density of 6-8 x 10(5) protoplasts/ml with a viability of 87.3% was achieved when the female gametopytes collected from May 8th to 15th were treated with 0.5% cellulase Onzuka R-10, 0.5% Pectolyase for 4-5 hours. The thin-layer liquid Murashige and Tuker medium modified by omitting ammonium ions and supplementing with glutamine 1000 mg/L, Vc 5 mg/L, benzyladenine 1.0 mg/L and naphthaleneacetic acid 3.0 mg/L was used for the protoplast culture and multiple cell colonies were obtained.