title: New findings in apple S-genotype analysis resolve previous confusion and request the re-numbering of some S-alleles.
abstract: Apple trees display gametophytic self-incompatibility which is controlled by a series of polymorphic S-alleles. To resolve the discrepancies in S-allele assignment that appeared in the literature, we have re-examined the identity of S-alleles known from domestic apple cultivars. Upon an alignment of S-allele nucleotide sequences, we designed allele-specific primer pairs to selectively amplify a single S-allele per reaction. Alternatively, highly similar S-alleles that were co-amplified with the same primer pair were discriminated through their distinct restriction digestion pattern. This is an extension of our previously developed allele-specific PCR amplification approach to reveal the S-genotypes in apple cultivars. Amplification parameters were optimised for the unique detection of the 15 apple S-alleles of which the nucleotide sequences are known. Both the old cultivars with a known S-genotype and a number of more common cultivars were assayed with this method. In most cases, our data coincided with those obtained through phenotypic and S-RNase analysis. However, three S-alleles were shown to relate to RNases that were previously proposed as being encoded by distinct S-alleles. For another S-allele the corresponding gene product has not been discriminated. Consequently, we propose the re-numbering of these four S-alleles. Furthermore, two alleles that were previously identified as S(27a) and S(27b) now received a distinct number, despite their identical S-specificity. To ease widespread future analysis of S-genotypes, we identified common cultivars that may function as a witness for bearing a particular S-allele. We discuss the assignment of new S-alleles which should help to avoid further confusion.
authors.affiliation: Better3Fruit N.V., and Fruitteeltcentrum K.U.Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Belgium. wim.broothaerts@bio.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Broothaerts
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005838:Genotype; D027845:Malus / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D012260:Ribonucleases