CRISPR-Cas9 was used for the mutagenesis of seed storage protein genes in soybean as reported by Western University scientist Chenlong Li and colleagues in BMC Research Notes. Soybean seeds are valuable source of proteins for food and feed globally. Storage proteins conglycininc and glycinins, encoded by a small family of genes, account for total soy seed protein. Mutant versions of these genes are vital in soybean breeding programs since the relative abundance of the protein subunits impacts amino acid composition and food properties.
The researchers tested the efficiency of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in editing storage protein genes using Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root transformation system. They designed and tested single guide RNAs to target nice genes and detected DNA mutations in three genes in soybean hairy roots with ratio ranging from 3.8 to 43.7 percent.
The results of the study can be used as a resource of soybean breeders in developing soybean varieties with mutations in seed storage proteins.
Read the abstract in BMC Research Notes.
Source: ISAAA
