F-box genes and the evolution of the s-locus in the Pyrinae
2012
De Franceschi, P. | Pierantoni, L. | Dondini, L. | Grandi, M. | Sansavini, S. | Sanzol, J.
The Malus (apple) and Pyrus (pear) genera belong to the subtribe Pyrinae, formerly known as the subfamily Maloideae. Like many other species of the Rosaceae, they exhibit a gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) mechanism which is genetically determined by a single multigenic and highly polymorphic locus (S-locus). The S-locus controls pollen-pistil recognition through different genes; a stylar ribonuclease (S-RNase) is the female (pistil) determinant whereas its male (pollen) counterpart(s) might consist of one or more F-box proteins. The present study reports the characterization of S-locus F-box genes from a group of apple and pear (European, Japanese and Chinese pear) cultivars, selected on the basis of their S-allele composition. The S-locus structure and diversity in the Pyrinae is analyzed considering the number of F-box genes characterized for each S-haplotype, their genetic linkage to the S-RNase and their phylogenetic relationships within and among species. Our results provide new insight into the evolution of the S-locus within this taxonomic group, and the role that the different S-locus F-box genes might have in self-incompatibility.
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