Function, biosynthesis, and regulation mechanisms of flavonoids in Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is an important economic tree species. Due to the abundance of secondary metabolites in the tree, Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) is used as a medicine, food supplement, and nutraceutical. Flavonoids are the most active components in GbE. There is increasing evidence that external and internal factors affect flavonoid synthesis. The publication of the G. biloba genome significantly improved functional analyses of key genes, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs involved in flavonoid synthesis. Here, we review progress on understanding the mechanisms of external and internal factors that affect the synthesis and accumulation of flavonoids in G. biloba . We highlight recent achievements that have greatly advanced our understanding of the functions of key genes for flavonoid synthesis. In addition, we discuss novel insights into the metabolic regulation network of flavonoids in G. biloba .