S-receptor Kinase Research Articles

MIK2 is a candidate gene of the S-locus for sporophytic self-incompatibility in chicory (Cichorium intybus, Asteraceae).

The Cichorium genus offers a unique opportunity to study the sporophytic self-incompatibility (SSI) system, being composed of species characterized by highly efficient self-incompatibility (e.g., C. intybus) and complete self-compatibility (e.g., C. endivia). To this end, the chicory genome was used to map seven previously identified SSI locus-associated markers. The region containing the S-locus was therefore restricted to an ~4 M bp window on chromosome 5. Among the genes predicted in this region, MDIS1 INTERACTING RECEPTOR LIKE KINASE 2 (ciMIK2) was particularly promising as a candidate for SSI. Its ortholog in Arabidopsis (atMIK2) is involved in pollen-stigma recognition reactions, and its protein structure is similar to that of S-receptor kinase (SRK), a key component of the SSI system in the Brassica genus. The amplification and sequencing of MIK2 in chicory and endive accessions revealed two contrasting scenarios. In C. endivia, MIK2 was fully conserved even when comparing different botanical varieties (i.e., smooth and curly endive). In C. intybus, 387 polymorphic positions and 3 INDELs were identified when comparing accessions of different biotypes all belonging to the same botanical variety (i.e., radicchio). The polymorphism distribution throughout the gene was uneven, with hypervariable domains preferentially localized in the LRR-rich extracellular region, putatively identified as the receptor domain. The gene was hypothesized to be under positive selection, as the nonsynonymous mutations were more than double the synonymous ones (dN/dS = 2.17). An analogous situation was observed when analyzing the first 500 bp of the MIK2 promoter: no SNPs were observed among the endive samples, whereas 44 SNPs and 6 INDELs were detected among the chicory samples. Further analyses are needed to confirm the role of MIK2 in SSI and to demonstrate whether the 23 species-specific nonsynonymous SNPs in the CDS and/or the species-specific 10 bp-INDEL found in a CCAAT box region of the promoter are responsible for the contrasting sexual behaviors of chicory and endive.

Comprehensive computational analysis of the SRK–SP11 molecular interaction underlying self-incompatibility in Brassicaceae using improved structure prediction for cysteine-rich proteins

Plants employ self-incompatibility (SI) to promote cross-fertilization. In Brassicaceae, this process is regulated by the formation of a complex between the pistil determinant S receptor kinase (SRK) and the pollen determinant S-locus protein 11 (SP11, also known as S-locus cysteine-rich protein, SCR). In our previous study, we used the crystal structures of two eSRK–SP11 complexes in Brassica rapa S8 and S9 haplotypes and nine computationally predicted complex models to demonstrate that only the SRK ectodomain (eSRK) and SP11 pairs derived from the same S haplotype exhibit high binding free energy. However, predicting the eSRK–SP11 complex structures for the other 100 + S haplotypes and genera remains difficult because of SP11 polymorphism in sequence and structure. Although protein structure prediction using AlphaFold2 exhibits considerably high accuracy for most protein monomers and complexes, 46% of the predicted SP11 structures that we tested showed < 75 mean per-residue confidence score (pLDDT). Here, we demonstrate that the use of curated multiple sequence alignment (MSA) for cysteine-rich proteins significantly improved model accuracy for SP11 and eSRK–SP11 complexes. Additionally, we calculated the binding free energies of the predicted eSRK–SP11 complexes using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and observed that some Arabidopsis haplotypes formed a binding mode that was critically different from that of B. rapa S8 and S9. Thus, our computational results provide insights into the haplotype-specific eSRK–SP11 binding modes in Brassicaceae at the residue level. The predicted models are freely available at Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8047768.

Identification of a novel self-compatible phenotype and its mutant SRK allele harbourin an LTR-retrotransposon in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

ABSTRACT Self-incompatibility (SI) responses of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) are determined by two tightly linked genes encoding an S receptor kinase (SRK) and an S-locus cysteine-rich protein/S locus protein 11 (SCR/SP11), respectively. A radish showing an almost self-compatible (SC) phenotype was identified in this study. Inheritance patterns showed that this SC phenotype was dominant over an SI phenotype. In addition, the SC phenotype co-segregated with an S haplotype in an F2 population. This SC radish contained an RsS-26 haplotype in which duplicate SRK-like genes were previously identified. Full-length sequences of two SRK-like genes of 18,133-bp and 6,200-bp in length were obtained, and they were designated as RsSRK-26-1 and RsSRK-26-2, respectively. No critical mutation was found in the coding region of SRK-like genes. However, a 4,146-bp intact LTR-retrotransposon was identified in the third intron of RsSRK-26-1 of the SC radish. Interestingly, this LTR-retrotransposon was not detected in three other breeding lines containing the same RsS-26 haplotype. While normal transcription of RsSRK-26-1 and SI phenotypes were observed in these three breeding lines, no transcript of RsSRK-26-1 was detected in the SC radish, suggesting that recent transposition of an LTR-retrotransposon in the RsSRK-26-1 gene might be responsible for the SC phenotype of radish.

Generation of novel self-incompatible Brassica napus by CRISPR/Cas9.

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a genetic mechanism that prevents inbreeding in hermaphrodite angiosperms via the rejection of self-pollen. SI lines facilitate the utilization of heterosis (De Nettancourt 2001). In cruciferous plants, SI is determined by the S locus, which harbors genes encoding the stigma papilla cell-specific S-receptor kinase (SRK) and the pollen surface-localized ligand of SRK, S-locus cysteine-rich protein/S-locus protein 11 (SCR/SP11) (Schopfer et al., 1999; Suzuki et al., 1999).

Mechanism of self/nonself-discrimination in Brassica self-incompatibility

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a breeding system that promotes cross-fertilization. In Brassica, pollen rejection is induced by a haplotype-specific interaction between pistil determinant SRK (S receptor kinase) and pollen determinant SP11 (S-locus Protein 11, also named SCR) from the S-locus. Although the structure of the B. rapa S9-SRK ectodomain (eSRK) and S9-SP11 complex has been determined, it remains unclear how SRK discriminates self- and nonself-SP11. Here, we uncover the detailed mechanism of self/nonself-discrimination in Brassica SI by determining the S8-eSRK–S8-SP11 crystal structure and performing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Comprehensive binding analysis of eSRK and SP11 structures reveals that the binding free energies are most stable for cognate eSRK–SP11 combinations. Residue-based contribution analysis suggests that the modes of eSRK–SP11 interactions differ between intra- and inter-subgroup (a group of phylogenetically neighboring haplotypes) combinations. Our data establish a model of self/nonself-discrimination in Brassica SI.

Expression of Brassica napus GLO1 is sufficient to breakdown artificial self-incompatibility in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Members of the Brassicaceae family have the ability to regulate pollination events occurring on the stigma surface. In Brassica species, self-pollination leads to an allele-specific interaction between the pollen small cysteine-rich peptide ligand (SCR/SP11) and the stigmatic S-receptor kinase (SRK) that activates the E3 ubiquitin ligase ARC1 (Armadillo repeat-containing 1), resulting in proteasomal degradation of various compatibility factors including glyoxalase I (GLO1) which is necessary for successful pollination. In Brassica napus, the suppression of GLO1 was sufficient to reduce compatibility, and overexpression of GLO1 in self-incompatible Brassica napus stigmas resulted in partial breakdown of the self-incompatibility response. Here, we verified if BnGLO1 could function as a compatibility factor in the artificial self-incompatibility system of Arabidopsis thaliana expressing AlSCRb, AlSRKb and AlARC1 proteins from A. lyrata. Overexpression of BnGLO1 is sufficient to breakdown self-incompatibility response in A. thaliana stigmas. Therefore, GLO1 has an indisputable role as a compatibility factor in the stigma in regulating pollen attachment and pollen tube growth. Lastly, this study demonstrates the usefulness of an artificial self-incompatibility system in A. thaliana for interspecific self-incompatibility studies.

The Brassica napus GATA transcription factor BnA5.ZML1 is a stigma compatibility factor.

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a genetic mechanism that rejects self-pollen and thus prevents inbreeding in some hermaphroditic angiosperms. In the Brassicaceae, SI involves a pollen-stigma recognition system controlled by a single locus known as the S locus, which consists of two highly polymorphic genes that encode S-locus cysteine-rich protein (SCR) and S-receptor kinase (SRK). When self-pollen lands on the stigma, the S-haplotype-specific interaction between SCR and SRK triggers SI. Here, we show that the GATA transcription factor BnA5.ZML1 suppresses SI responses in Brassica napus and is induced after compatible pollination. The loss-of-function mutant bna5.zml1 displays reduced self-compatibility. In contrast, overexpression of BnA5.ZML1 in self-incompatible stigmas leads to a partial breakdown of SI responses, suggesting that BnA5.ZML1 is a stigmatic compatibility factor. Furthermore, the expression levels of SRK and ARC1 are up-regulated in bna5.zml1 mutants, and they are down-regulated in BnA5.ZML1 overexpressing lines. SRK affects the cellular localization of BnA5.ZML1 through direct protein-protein interaction. Overall, our findings highlight the fundamental role of BnA5.ZML1 in SI responses in B. napus, establishing a direct interaction between BnA5.ZML1 and SRK in this process.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated multiple gene editing in Brassica oleracea var. capitata using the endogenous tRNA-processing system

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a biennial plant with strong self-incompatibility and an obligate requirement for prolonged vernalization by exposure to low temperatures to induce flowering. These characteristics significantly increase the difficulty of exploiting novel germplasm induced by physical or chemical mutagens. In this study, we report a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system based on endogenous tRNA processing to induce high efficiency and inheritable mutagenesis in cabbage. Using the phytoene desaturase gene BoPDS, the S-receptor kinase gene BoSRK, and the male-sterility-associated gene BoMS1 as the target genes, multisite and multiple gene mutations were achieved using a construct with tandemly arrayed tRNA-sgRNA architecture to express multiple sgRNAs. The BoSRK3 gene mutation suppressed self-incompatibility completely, converting the self-incompatible line into a self-compatible line. In addition, the BoMS1 gene mutation produced a completely male-sterile mutant, which was highly cross compatible with its nonmutant isoline at the flowering stage as a result of a simultaneous BoSRK3 gene mutation, enabling the economic propagation of the male-sterile line through bee-mediated cross-pollination. Interestingly, higher site mutation efficiency was detected when a guide sequence was inserted into a location in the tandemly arrayed tRNA-sgRNA architecture that was distal from the upstream Pol III promoter. In addition, mutation sites were also detected in the paralogous genes of the BoPDS and BoSRK genes that had fully consistent sequences or base mismatches but beyond the “seed” region in the spacer sequence compared with the target sgRNAs. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system, coupled with an endogenous tRNA-processing system, is an efficient tool to improve cabbage traits.

Progress on deciphering the molecular aspects of cell-to-cell communication in Brassica self-incompatibility response.

The sporophytic system of self-incompatibility is a widespread genetic phenomenon in plant species, promoting out-breeding and maintaining genetic diversity. This phenomenon is of commercial importance in hybrid breeding of Brassicaceae crops and is controlled by single S locus with multiple S haplotypes. The molecular genetic studies of Brassica 'S' locus has revealed the presence of three tightly linked loci viz. S-receptor kinase (SRK), S-locus cysteine-rich protein/S-locus protein 11 (SCR/SP11), and S-locus glycoprotein (SLG). On self-pollination, the allele-specific ligand-receptor interaction activates signal transduction in stigma papilla cells and leads to rejection of pollen tube on stigmatic surface. In addition, arm-repeat-containing protein 1 (ARC1), M-locus protein kinase (MLPK), kinase-associated protein phosphatase (KAPP), exocyst complex subunit (Exo70A1) etc. has been identified in Brassica crops and plays a key role in self-incompatibility signaling pathway. Furthermore, the cytoplasmic calcium (Ca2+) influx in papilla cells also mediates self-incompatibility response in Brassicaceae, but how this cytoplasmic Ca2+ influx triggers signal transduction to inhibit pollen hydration is still obscure. There are many other signaling components which are not well characterized yet. Much progress has been made in elucidating the downstream multiple pathways of Brassica self-incompatibility response. Hence, in this review, we have made an effort to describe the recent advances made on understanding the molecular aspects of genetic mechanism of self-incompatibility in Brassicaceae.

Identification of the S locus core sequences determining self-incompatibility and S multigene family from draft genome sequences of radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

The S core and its flanking sequences were identified from two independent draft genome sequences of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). After gap-filling with PCR, the S core regions and full-length S receptor kinase (SRK) genes from two radish genomes were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis of the SRK genes clearly showed that one S core region belonged to the class I S haplotypes, but the other was included in the class II S haplotypes. Three sequences showing homology with known transposable elements were identified in the core regions, and one intact copia-type long terminal repeat (LTR)-retrotransposon containing a 4125-bp open reading frame (ORF) was identified in the class I S haplotype. A total of 61 genes showing homology with the SRK genes were identified from two draft genome sequences. Among them, the RsKD1 showed the highest homology with the SRK genes. There was 90% nucleotide sequence identity between the RsKD1 and RsSRK1 genes in the kinase domains. The phylogenetic tree of SRK genes and 13 most closely related homologs showed that all homologs were more closely related to the class II SRK genes than to the class I SRKs. Physical mapping of radish SRK-homologous genes and their B. rapa orthologs showed that two radish homologs and their B. rapa orthologs were tightly linked to the SRK genes in radish and B. rapa genomes. Sequence information about multiple SRK-homologs identified in this study would be helpful for designing reliable primer pairs for faithful PCR amplification of the SRK alleles, leading to improvement of the S haplotyping system in radish breeding programs.

Proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis plasma membranes reveals lipopolysaccharide-responsive changes

Plant plasma membranes (PMs) contain pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), lately believed to be associated within multicomponent complexes, which perceive microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules like lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and result in signal transduction events that lead to activated immune defense responses. As such, Arabidopsis thaliana leaves were treated with LPS from Escherichia coli (LPSE.coli) over time, and PM fractions isolated and evaluated using gel-based and subsequent mass spectrometry approaches for identification of LPS-responsive proteins. From the identified protein bands and spots, it is concluded that perception of hexaacylated LPS and resulting signal transduction occurs via PM-associated protein(s), amongst others, receptor-like kinases (RLKs) including G-type lectin S-receptor kinase and BAK1, and mostly likely within specialized perception domains.

Development of a system for S locus haplotyping based on the polymorphic SLL2 gene tightly linked to the locus determining self-incompatibility in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

To develop a reliable system for identifying multiple S haplotypes controlling self-incompatibility (SI) in radish (Raphanus sativus L.), the genomic organization of the S locus region was identified from radish draft genome sequences. An initial attempt to find the S receptor kinase (SRK) gene, the female determinant of SI, failed due to presence of 15 homologous genes. Using synteny between the radish and Chinese cabbage genomes, the putative S locus region was identified in the radish R7 linkage group. One scaffold anchored to this R7 region contained the S-locus glycoprotein (SLG) gene, which is one of the S locus genes. Using the high homology between the SLG and S domain of SRK, the full-length radish SRK gene containing the largest 6861-bp intron1 was assembled by connecting two scaffolds harboring the S receptor and kinase domains, respectively. A scaffold containing the full-length S-locus cysteine-rich protein (SCR)/S locus protein 11 (SP11) gene, the male-determinant of SI, was identified using information reported previously. Finally, 53,785, 42,804, and 10,165 bp sequences containing the S locus genes and their flanking sequences were obtained. Unlike the various orientations of the SRK or SCR/SP11 genes, the position of SLL2 located at the border region of the S locus was conserved among haplotypes. Sequencing of the SLL2 gene from 31 inbred lines showing differential SI responses revealed 26 polymorphic alleles. Four additional SLL2 alleles were identified from analysis of diverse breeding lines. Based on the polymorphic SLL2 sequences, a new S haplotyping system was developed for efficient marker-assisted selection of the S haplotypes in radish.

Degradation of glyoxalase I in Brassica napus stigma leads to self-incompatibility response.

Self-incompatibility (rejection of 'self'-pollen) is a reproductive barrier that allows hermaphroditic flowering plants to prevent inbreeding, to promote outcrossing and hybrid vigour. The self-incompatibility response in Brassica involves allele-specific interaction between the pollen small cysteine-rich, secreted protein ligand (SCR/SP11) and the stigmatic S-receptor kinase (SRK), which leads to the activation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase ARC1 (Armadillo repeat-containing 1), resulting in proteasomal degradation of compatibility factors needed for successful pollination. Despite this, targets of ARC1 and the intracellular signalling network that is regulated by these targets, have remained elusive. Here we show that glyoxalase I (GLO1), an enzyme that is required for the detoxification of methylglyoxal (MG, a cytotoxic by-product of glycolysis), is a stigmatic compatibility factor required for pollination to occur and is targeted by the self-incompatibility system. Suppression of GLO1 was sufficient to reduce compatibility, and overexpression of GLO1 in self-incompatible Brassica napus stigmas resulted in partial breakdown of the self-incompatibility response. ARC1-mediated destruction of GLO1 after self-pollination results in increased MG levels and a concomitant increase in MG-modified proteins (including GLO1), which are efficiently targeted for destruction in the papillary cells, leading to pollen rejection. Our findings demonstrate the elegant nature of plants to use a metabolic by-product to regulate the self-incompatibility response.

Calcium signalling mediates self-incompatibility response in the Brassicaceae.

Self-incompatibility in the Brassicaceae is controlled by multiple haplotypes encoding the pollen ligand (S-locus protein 11, SP11, also known as S-locus cysteine-rich protein, SCR) and its stigmatic receptor (S-receptor kinase, SRK). A haplotype-specific interaction between SP11/SCR and SRK triggers the self-incompatibility response that leads to self-pollen rejection, but the signalling pathway remains largely unknown. Here we show that Ca(2+) influx into stigma papilla cells mediates self-incompatibility signalling. Using self-incompatible Arabidopsis thaliana expressing SP11/SCR and SRK, we found that self-pollination specifically induced an increase in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]cyt) in papilla cells. Direct application of SP11/SCR to the papilla cell protoplasts induced Ca(2+) increase, which was inhibited by D-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5), a glutamate receptor channel blocker. An artificial increase in [Ca(2+)]cyt in papilla cells arrested wild-type (WT) pollen hydration. Treatment of papilla cells with AP-5 interfered with self-incompatibility, and Ca(2+) increase on the self-incompatibility response was reduced in the glutamate receptor-like channel (GLR) gene mutants. These results suggest that Ca(2+) influx mediated by GLR is the essential self-incompatibility response leading to self-pollen rejection.

A conserved role for the ARC1 E3 ligase in Brassicaceae self-incompatibility.

Ubiquitination plays essential roles in the regulation of many processes in plants including pollen rejection in self-incompatible species. In the Brassicaceae (mustard family), self-incompatibility drives the rejection of self-pollen by preventing pollen hydration following pollen contact with the stigmatic surface. Self-pollen is recognized by a ligand-receptor pair: the pollen S-locus cysteine rich/S-locus protein 11 (SCR/SP11) ligand and the pistil S receptor kinase (SRK). Following self-pollen contact, the SCR/SP11 ligand on the pollen surface binds to SRK on the pistil surface, and the SRK-activated signaling pathway is initiated. This pathway includes the armadillo repeat containing 1 (ARC1) protein, a member of the plant U-box (PUB) family of E3 ubiquitin ligases. ARC1 is a functional E3 ligase and is required downstream of SRK for the self-incompatibility response. This mini review highlights our recent progress in establishing ARC1’s conserved role in self-pollen rejection in Brassica and Arabidopsis species and discusses future research directions in this field.

S-haplotypes and Genetic Diversity in ‘Danji’ Radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. hortensis)

The distribution of S-haplotypes and genetic relationships were evaluated for 47 accessions of 'Danji' radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. hortensis Baker f. gigantissimus Makino) originating from Jeju Island in South Korea. A total of 22 S-haplotype-specific SCAR markers for the S locus glycoprotein (SLG) and S receptor kinase (SRK) loci were tested, and six primer sets amplified locus-specific PCR fragments from at least one 'Danji' radish accession. S5 and S21 alleles atthe SLG locus were the most frequently distributed, and detected from 87.5% and 64.6% of the accessions, respectively. The frequency of the class-II haplotype at the SLG locus was 75%, more frequent than the class-I haplotype. The S23 allele at the SRK locus was detected from 7 accessions. Grouping of the accessions based on S-allele composition revealed three major groups, while 8 accessions showed a unique allelic composition. The genetic diversity of 47 'Danji' radishes and 1 'Gwandong' radish were also evaluated with 38 RAPD primers. A total of 312 bands were scored, and showed that 138 bands (44.2%) were monomorphic among the accessions, whereas 174 (55.8%) bands were polymorphic. Polymorphism rates ranged from 0.2 to 1.0, indicating significant variations in detecting polymorphism across RAPD primers. The genetic similarity coefficients among all pairs of the 48accessions varied from 0.62 to 0.93, and 42% of the comparisons exhibited values higher than 0.85. All the cultivars could be distinguished based on the DNA fingerprints revealed by RAPD. The comparisons between the dendrograms based on S-haplotypes and RAPDs indicate an unrelated and sporadic distribution for several accessions; however, there was a tendency for accessions with the same S-allelic composition to group into the same cluster.

Different expression of S-locus cysteine-rich protein (SCR) alleles in self-incompatible and self-compatible Brassica napus breeding lines and cultivars: Can be SCR/SP11 used as a selectable marker in breeding?

There are several approaches available for hybrid breeding in oil seed rape, Brassica napus, as cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), genic male sterility (GMS), self-incompatibility (SI), and chemical hybridizing agens (CHA). In comparison with others, SI is regarded as one of the most valuable strategies in hybrid breeding. Unlike self-incompatible (SI) B. rapa and B. oleracea, two ancestor species, B. napus is naturally self-compatible (SC). However, occasionally SI also occurs in rapeseed cultivars. SI in Brassicaceae plants is sporophytically controlled by a single multi-allelic locus (S-locus), which contains at least three highly polymorphic genes expressed in the stigma (S locus glycoprotein, SLG and S receptor kinase, SRK) and in the pollen (SCR/SP11). In segregating population derived from crosses between DH SI lines and 00-quality donors we found two recessive alleles of a SCR class II gene. We developed new primers for detection of unique cv. Tandem derived allele and this allele was successfully amplified in SI donor plants and SI plants after first cycle of crossing. Analyses of other accessions (SI donor different from cv. Tandem) and varieties did not show so clear pattern of segregation and different expression of both alleles does not correspond to phenotypic manifestation of self-incompatibility and we can assume that it is caused by the presence of repressor gene that does not lie on the S-locus. Key words: Self-incompatibility, Brassica napus, S receptor kinase (SRK), S locus glycoprotein (SLG), S locus cysteine-rich protein (SCR).

Molecular Genetic Aspects of Self-incompatibility in Brassicaceae

Molecular genetic studies of self-incompatibility (SI) are the most accentuating part in the way of advancement of reproductive mechanisms in flowering plants. In the Brassicaceae plants, self-incompatibility has been mapped genetically to a single chromosomal location where several closely linked genes have been identified. Recently, various studies have provided a novel insight into the basis of specificity in the S-receptor kinase (SRK) and S-locus protein 11 or S-locus Cysteine-rich (SP11/SCR) interaction, the nature of the signaling cascade that culminates in the inhibition of ‘self’ pollen, and the physiological and morphological changes that are associated with transitions between the outbreeding and inbreeding modes of mating in the Brassicaceae. In this review, we discuss the current view of the molecular genetic aspects of the self-incompatibility in Brassicaceae.

High-density genetic maps for loci involved in nuclear male sterility (NMS1) and sporophytic self-incompatibility (S-locus) in chicory (Cichorium intybus L., Asteraceae).

High-density genetic maps were constructed for loci involved in nuclear male sterility (NMS1-locus) and sporophytic self-incompatibility (S-locus) in chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). The mapping population consisted of 389 F1' individuals derived from a cross between two plants, K28 (male-sterile) and K59 (pollen-fertile), both heterozygous at the S-locus. This F1' mapping population segregated for both male sterility (MS) and strong self-incompatibility (SI) phenotypes. Phenotyping F1' individuals for MS allowed us to map the NMS1-locus to linkage group (LG) 5, while controlled diallel and factorial crosses to identify compatible/incompatible phenotypes mapped the S-locus to LG2. To increase the density of markers around these loci, bulked segregant analysis was used. Bulks and parental plants K28 and K59 were screened using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, with a complete set of 256 primer combinations of EcoRI-ANN and MseI-CNN. A total of 31,000 fragments were generated, of which 2,350 showed polymorphism between K59 and K28. Thirteen AFLP markers were identified close to the NMS1-locus and six in the vicinity of the S-locus. From these AFLP markers, eight were transformed into sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers and of these five showed co-dominant polymorphism. The chromosomal regions containing the NMS1-locus and the S-locus were each confined to a region of 0.8cM. In addition, we mapped genes encoding proteins similar to S-receptor kinase, the female determinant of sporophytic SI in the Brasicaceae, and also markers in the vicinity of the putative S-locus of sunflower, but none of these genes or markers mapped close to the chicory S-locus.

Development of self-compatible B. rapa by RNAi-mediated S locus gene silencing.

The self-incompatibility (SI) system is genetically controlled by a single polymorphic locus known as the S-locus in the Brassicaceae. Pollen rejection occurs when the stigma and pollen share the same S-haplotype. Recognition of S-haplotype specificity has recently been shown to involve at least two S-locus genes, S-receptor kinase (SRK) and S-locus protein 11 or S locus Cysteine-rich (SP11/SCR) protein. Here, we examined the function of S60, one SP11/SCR allele of B. rapa cv. Osome, using a RNAi-mediated gene silencing approach. The transgenic RNAi lines were highly self-compatible, and this trait was stable in subsequent generations, even after crossing with other commercial lines. These findings also suggested that the resultant self-compatibility could be transferred to commercial cultivars with the desired performances in B. rapa.