Telomerase activity assay in different organs and callus culture of Ginkgo biloba L.

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between telomerase activity and cell division in Ginkgo biloba L. Telomerase activities in different tissues and organs of G. biloba (embryo, leaf, microspore and callus) were measured respectively using improved TRAP method. The highest telomerase activity was found in embryonal callus, suggesting tissues containing high levels of dividing cells also had high levels of telomerase activity. In addition, the telomerase activities of different generations callus were measured respectively. Callus tissues were induced from the ginkgo embryos and cultured on MS + 1.0 mg/L 6-BA +2.0 mg/L NAA and MS + 1.0 mg/L 6-BA + 2.0 mg/L NAA + 0.3 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.2% activated carbon medium supplemented with different combinations of plant growth regulators. It had been found that telomerase activities in all generations of callus were high relative to other tissues (leaf, microspore and embryo). The telomerase activity of the early generation of callus was very high. After initial surge, the telomerase activity decreased in early callus generations, then restored to higher level and stay there. These results indicated that the callus had high and stable telomerase activities in the later period of callus tissue culture.