CRISPR/Cas9-mediated inactivation of the soybean agglutinin <i>Le1</i> gene to improve grain quality.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Soybean agglutinin (SBA) is a major antinutritional factor in soybean seeds, reducing digestibility in monogastric animals. The Le1 gene encodes the primary lectin accumulated in seeds. Genome editing offers a direct strategy to eliminate this factor in elite cultivars.

Methods

Two gRNAs targeting Le1 were inserted into a CRISPR/Cas9 binary vector and used for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of the soybean cultivar BRS 537. Edited plants were screened by PCR, Sanger sequencing, protein electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), hemagglutination assays, and segregating generations were tested to identify transgene-free progeny. Agronomic traits were evaluated under field conditions.

Results

Twenty transformation events were generated, with an editing ef

SUBMITTER: Kafer JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12829480 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature