A gene cluster in Ginkgo biloba encodes unique multifunctional cytochrome P450s that initiate ginkgolide biosynthesis

Victor Forman, Dan Luo, Fernando Geu-Flores, René Lemcke, David R. Nelson, Sotirios C. Kampranis, Dan Staerk, Birger Lindberg Møller and Irini Pateraki ()
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Victor Forman: University of Copenhagen
Dan Luo: University of Copenhagen
Fernando Geu-Flores: University of Copenhagen
René Lemcke: University of Copenhagen
David R. Nelson: University of Tennessee
Sotirios C. Kampranis: University of Copenhagen
Dan Staerk: University of Copenhagen
Birger Lindberg Møller: University of Copenhagen
Irini Pateraki: University of Copenhagen

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) is considered a living fossil due to its 200 million year’s history under morphological stasis. Its resilience is partly attributed to its unique set of specialized metabolites, in particular, ginkgolides and bilobalide, which are chemically complex terpene trilactones. Here, we use a gene cluster-guided mining approach in combination with co-expression analysis to reveal the primary steps in ginkgolide biosynthesis. We show that five multifunctional cytochrome P450s with atypical catalytic activities generate the tert-butyl group and one of the lactone rings, characteristic of all G. biloba trilactone terpenoids. The reactions include scarless C–C bond cleavage as well as carbon skeleton rearrangement (NIH shift) occurring on a previously unsuspected intermediate. The cytochrome P450s belong to CYP families that diversifies in pre-seed plants and gymnosperms, but are not preserved in angiosperms. Our work uncovers the early ginkgolide pathway and offers a glance into the biosynthesis of terpenoids of the Mesozoic Era.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32879-9

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