Co-expression of Soybean Genes Leads to Improved Folate Content in Maize and Wheat
February 20, 2019| |
Folate is a form of B-vitamin necessary for the production of red and white blood cells in the bone marrow, convert carbohydrates into energy, and other functions. Low intake of folate in the body may lead to serious disorders. To improve human folate status, it has been recommended to enhance the folate content of food crops, which can be achieved through metabolic engineering. To do this, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences scientists cloned two GmGCHI (GTP cyclohydrolase I) genes (Gm8gGCHI and Gm3gGCHI) and one GmADCS (aminodeoxychorismate synthase) gene from soybean, which are responsible for synthesizing the folate precursors pterin and p-aminobenzoate, respectively.
They tested the functions of the genes first in transgenic Arabidopsis plants and found that Gm8gGCHI increased pterin and folate production more than Gm3gGCHI did. Then they co-expressed Gm8gGCHI and GmADCS in maize and wheat to boost their folate content. Results showed a significant increase in the folate levels in transgenic maize and wheat grains, implying that the two-gene coexpression strategy could be used to enhance the folate levels in the two important stable food crops.
Read the research article in the Journal of Experimental Botany.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Hunger in Africa Continues to Rise, UN Report Reveals
- New Biotech Cotton Event Approved in Argentina
- Epigenetics Research Could Lead to More Resilient Crops
- ERS Publishes Report on Development, Adoption, and Management of Drought Tolerant Corn in the United States
- Battle to Save the US Citrus Industry Hinges on Consumer Acceptance of GM Food
- SEARCA BIC Policy Brief Highlights Global Scientific Consensus on the Safety of GMO Technology
- New Evidence on Vernalization Has Been Found
- Wageningen Economic Research Conducts Comparative Analysis of Global Agricultural Policies for the EU
-
Research Highlights
- Overexpression of OsFTL10 Induces Early Flowering Improves Drought Tolerance in Rice
- Co-expression of Soybean Genes Leads to Improved Folate Content in Maize and Wheat
-
Announcements
- Global Congress on Biotechnology
-
Resources
- Gene Editing: A Potential GameChanger for Crop Agriculture
- ISAAA in 2018: Accomplishment Report
-
Plant
- CRISPR-Cas9 Mutations in a Rice Gene Changes Starch Biosynthesis in the Endosperm
- Transgene-Free Genome Editing in Tomato and Potato Plants Using CRISPR-Cas9 Cytidine Base Editor
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (October 2, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (September 26, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet