2021
Genetic Engineering of Soybean for Production of DGLA-enriched Oil
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Dakota Soybean Council
Category:
Food
Keywords:
Human foodHuman health
Parent Project:
Genetic Engineering of Soybean for Production of DGLA-enriched Oil
Lead Principal Investigator:
Shaobin Zhong, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
QSSB
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Dakota Soybean Council
$48,610
Leveraged Funding (Non-Checkoff):
None
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Institution Funded:
North Dakota State University
$48,610
Brief Project Summary:

Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. Studies in Dr. Qian’s lab (NDSU College of Health Professions) discovered that DGLA has anti-cancer effects on various types of cancer cells because DGLA can be metabolized to a cancer inhibitory molecule. Research showed that DGLA supplementation can improve new anti-cancer strategies efficacy. Soybean oil does not contain DGLA because the crop lacks the enzymes for DGLA biosynthesis. The goal is to develop transgenic soybean lines with high DGLA content for cancer therapy use. Researchers will evaluate transgenic soybean plants for DGLA content and continue to improve gene expression for DGLA production by genetic engineering.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, scientists, doctors, soybean breeders

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Transgenic soybean varieties with high DGLA content in oil will be developed for corn production to meet the needs of cancer therapy.

Final Project Results

Update:

View uploaded report Word file

View uploaded report 2 Word file

The Executive Summary
Research conducted
DGLA (dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid) is a 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid, which plays an important role in human health, especially for halting cancer growth. However, major vegetable oils lack DGLA since the main oil-producing crops (soybean, corn, canola and so on) do not have the two genes encoding the enzymes [(delta-6-desaturase (D6D) and delta-6-elongase (D6E)] for DGLA biosynthesis. Our research goal is to develop transgenic soybean lines that express D6D and D6E for converting linoleic acid (LA) to DGLA and producing DGLA-enriched oil for cancer therapy use. We made a new gene construct with genes for expression of D6D and D6E and transgenic soybean plants were generated from two soybean cultivars William 82 and Thorne through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The fatty acids of transgenic soybean samples were analyzed and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and DGLA were detected in the transgenic soybean seeds. We will continue to improve the DGLA productivity in soybean plants.

Why the research is important to ND soybean farmers
Soybean oil accounts for over 40 percent of the intake of linoleic acids (LA) and alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA) in the United States because of its widespread use, but the crop fails to produce DGLA because it lacks the enzymes for DGLA biosynthesis. The research will develop new soybean varieties that produce DGLA-enriched soybean oil, which has a huge potential for use in cancer therapy and for consumption by normal humans to reduce cancer-related risks. The research will enhance the value of soybean product and expand the markets of soybean.

Final findings of the research
Transgenic soybean plants with the two genes required for DGLA biosynthesis have been developed. Some of the transgenic soybean plants produced up to 33.3% GLA and up to 10.25% DGLA in the soybean oil.
Benefits/Recommendations to North Dakota soybean farmers and industry

By growing new soybean varieties that produce DGLA-enriched soybean oil, the farmers will have a better economic return due to the extended and enhanced value of soybean oil in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, especially in cancer therapy.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.