Gene Editing Produces Transgenic Potatoes with Low Solanine Levels

A study published in Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology shows that suppressing the solanidine galactosyltransferase (sgt1) gene in potatoes resulted in low levels of α-solanine without any changes in α-chaconine levels.

Potatoes naturally produce two major steroidal glycoalkaloids called α-solanine and α-chaconine, which may cause toxic symptoms in humans when consumed in large amounts. Certain stressful conditions, such as exposure to light, physical damage, or storage at improper temperatures, can also cause an increase in the production of glycoalkaloids in potatoes.

Hence, researchers from India used CRISPRi/dCas9-KRAB to suppress sgt1 to lower α-solanine levels in potatoes. Nutritional analysis in these transgenic potatoes shows no significant changes compared to a wild-type potato. The findings of the study accelerate current research on developing gene-edited potatoes with improved properties.

For more information, read the article from Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology.