UV-B promotes flavonoid biosynthesis in Ginkgo biloba by inducing the GbHY5 - GbMYB1 - GbFLS module.

(ginkgo) leaves have medicinal value due to their high levels of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids. We found that the flavonoid content in ginkgo leaves increases significantly at high altitudes (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau). Considering that high UV-B radiation is among the key environmental characteristics of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, we carried out simulated UV-B treatments on ginkgo seedlings and found that the flavonoid content of the leaves increased significantly following the treatments. Combined with results from our previous studies, we determined that the transcription factor GbHY5 may play a key role in responses to UV-B radiation. Overexpression of significantly promoted the accumulation of flavonoids in both ginkgo callus and . Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid and real-time quantitative PCR showed that GbHY5 promoted the expression of by interacting with GbMYB1 protein. Overexpression of in ginkgo callus and also significantly promoted flavonoid biosynthesis. encodes a key enzyme in flavonoid biosynthesis, and its promoter has binding elements of GbHY5 and GbMYB1. A dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that while GbHY5 and GbMYB1 activated the expression of individually, their co-expression achieved greater activation. Our analyses reveal the molecular mechanisms by which the UV-B-induced -- module promotes flavonoid biosynthesis in ginkgo, and they provide insight into the use of UV-B radiation to enhance the flavonoid content of ginkgo leaves.