A molecular basis for the self-incompatibility system operating in Brassica sp.

Abstract

Molecules contained in the sporophytically-derived coating of the pollen grain and in the superficial pellicle of the stigmatic papillae control the self-incompatibility response of the breeding system of <em>Brassica</em>. The stigmatic pellicle consists of a lipidic matrix in which float a mosaic of proteins many of which can rapidly be renewed from pools in the papillar cyto-plasm. A fraction of these proteins are involved in facilitating the passage of water to the pollen whilst another, possibly a glycoprotein, suppresses this activity in an incompatible mating. The pollen coating must also contain two sets of active molecules, one for identifying the stigmatic recognition molecules, and another for effecting the changes that take place tothe coat itself on compatible pollination. In essence, the self -incompatibility mechanism appears to operate through the control of water flow from 'the papilla to the grain. Even when incompatible grains manage to germinate by obtaining atmospheric water, their proteins will often stimulate a reaction in the stigmatic papilla once the cuticle has been penetrated.