Formation of terpenoid products in Ginkgo biloba L. cultivated cells.

Ginkgolides are diterpenes arising from the terpenoid precursor: geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). Incorporation of [1-(14)C] isopentenylpyrophosphate ([1-(14)C]IPP) into GGPP was monitored throughout the cultivation cycle of G. biloba L. cultivated cells. Because incorporation of [1-(14)C]IPP into GGPP had never been monitored in G. biloba, in either the whole plant or cultivated cell system, modifications to existing protocols were necessary. Modifications consisted of extracting the cells with an extraction buffer supplemented with Triton-X-100. Farnesylpyrophosphate (FPP) was the major product formed. The amount of GGPP detected was about one tenth that of FPP.