Abstract
Many higher plants have genetically controlled to prevent self-fertilization, using specific interactions between pollen and pistil. These cell-cell recognition mechanisms (self-incompatibility, SI) are controlled by a multi-allelic S-locus. It is well known that SI of the Brassicaceae can be removed by a high-concentrated CO2 treatment. Moreover, analyses of plants with various CO2 sensitivity suggest the presence of other genetic-loci in the downstream signal transduction pathway of SI reaction to CO2. However, many of the responsible genes remain unknown.
Model plant Arabidopsis thaliana belongs to the Brassicaceae but is self-compatible due to the non-functional pollen and pistil S determinants.
After being introduced S genes (SRKb and SCRb) of A. lyrata, a self-incompatible relative, A. thaliana cannot be self-fertilized but it could be overcome when treated with CO2 gas. In this study, microarray analysis was performed using this SI A. thaliana with/without CO2 treatment for hunting downstream components involved in SI signaling response to CO2, which will give us a deeper understanding of mechanism of SI and knowledge for the breeding of the Brassicas.
