Detection of Self Incompatibility Genotypes in Prunus africana: Characterization, Evolution and Spatial Analysis

PLoS One. 2016 Jun 27;11(6):e0155638. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155638. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

In flowering plants, self-incompatibility is an effective genetic mechanism that prevents self-fertilization. Most Prunus tree species exhibit a homomorphic gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) system, in which the pollen phenotype is encoded by its own haploid genome. To date, no identification of S-alleles had been done in Prunus africana, the only member of the genus in Africa. To identify S-RNase alleles and hence determine S-genotypes in African cherry (Prunus africana) from Mabira Forest Reserve, Uganda, primers flanking the first and second intron were designed and these amplified two bands in most individuals. PCR bands on agarose indicated 26 and 8 different S-alleles for second and first intron respectively. Partial or full sequences were obtained for all these fragments. Comparison with published S-RNase data indicated that the amplified products were S-RNase alleles with very high interspecies homology despite the high intraspecific variation. Against expectations for a locus under balancing selection, frequency and spatial distribution of the alleles in a study plot was not random. Implications of the results to breeding efforts in the species are discussed, and mating experiments are strongly suggested to finally prove the functionality of SI in P. africana.

MeSH terms

  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Genes, Plant
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype*
  • Introns
  • Prunus africana / genetics*
  • Prunus africana / physiology
  • Self-Incompatibility in Flowering Plants*

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Austrian Development Agency. It is the result of a collaboration between Bioversity International and the Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape (BFW) in Austria, and of a partnership with the School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences of Makerere University within the framework of the project 'Development of strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of Prunus africana to improve the livelihood of small-scale farmers.' The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.