title: The S locus of flowering plants: when self-rejection is self-interest.
abstract: In certain families of flowering plants, a self-incompatibility (SI) locus prevents self-fertilization, by a specific interaction between the S-gene product produced in the pistil and the S-gene products borne on or expressed by the male gametophyte, the pollen grain. The female S-locus gene products for two families showing different types of SI have been putatively identified as major pistil glycoproteins (the S-locus-specific glycoproteins of the Brassicaceae and the S-RNases of the Solanaceae). However, they are distinct in sequence and mode of action. The nature of the S-locus gene product borne by the pollen is still uncertain in both systems.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, Köln, FRG.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kirch
mesh_terms: D001937:Brassica / Q000235:genetics*; D005306:Fertilization; D017343:Genes, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D012260:Ribonucleases