2020
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:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Shaobin Zhong, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
QSSB
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Dakota Soybean Council
$49,000
Institution Funded:
North Dakota State University
$49,000
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
Final Project Results

Update:

View uploaded report Word file

Research conducted
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid, which has been demonstrated to play an important role in human health by suppression of cancer development. In human body, DGLA can be converted from linoleic acid (LA) (a major component in vegetable oil) through enzymatic metabolism, but the accumulated amount of DGLA is too low to achieve a significant effect. Studies have indicated that supplementation of DGLA can significantly improve the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments/drugs in cancer therapy. Soybean oil accounts for over 40 percent of the intake of linoleic acids (LA) and alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA) in the United States, but it does not contain DGLA because soybean plants lack the enzymes for DGLA biosynthesis. Our research aimed to introduce the two genes needed for DGLA production into soybean plants by genetic engineering process. The ultimate goal is to develop transgenic soybean lines that produce DGLA-enriched vegetable oil for cancer therapy use. We have cloned the genes expressing the two enzymes for production of DGLA, prepared gene constructs and introduced them into soybean cultivar William 82 through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. We have generated transgenic soybean plants that were able to produce DGLA in soybean seeds. Improvement of gene expression for higher DGLA production in soybean plants is in progress.
Why the research is important to ND soybean farmers

The research will develop new soybean varieties that produce high-value vegetable oil enriched with DGLA, which has a huge potential for use by cancer patients in cancer therapy and for consumption by normal human population 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
By introducing the genes for expressing the enzymes Delta 6 desaturase and Delta 6 elongase into soybean plants, transgenic soybean varieties that can produce DGLA-enriched soybean oil will be developed for soybean farmers to grow.
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.