The evolution of self-incompatibility: A molecular voyeur's perspective

Abstract

This review summarises current understanding of the evolution of self- incompatibility inferred from DNA sequence analysis. Self-incompatibility in many plant families is controlled by a single, highly polymorphic S-locus which, in the Solanaceae, encodes an allelic series of stylar ribonucleases known as the S-RNases. PCR approaches are a convenient way to examine the diversity of S-RNase sequences within and between wild populations of a self- incompatible species and provide a unique view into the species' current and historic population structure. Similar molecular approaches have also been used to show that S-RNases are involved in self-incompatibility in families other than the Solanac..