Discovery of the Prunus-specific self-incompatibility recognition system and its horticultural applications

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H00941
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 39:Agricultural and environmental biology and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Tao Ryutaro 京都大学, 農学研究科, 教授 (10211997)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 金岡 雅浩 県立広島大学, 生物資源科学部, 教授 (10467277) ; 松本 大生 福井県立大学, 生物資源学部, 准教授 (30632129)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 果樹 / 受粉受精 / 自家不和合性 / 果樹ゲノム科学 / 組換え遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to elucidate the functions of the pollen S determinant SFB, which plays a crucial role in the self-incompatibility response, and the general inhibitor inactivating pistil S determinant S-RNase in Prunus fruit trees. Additionally, it sought to clarify the function of pollen part modifier MGST in Prunus. Through this research, we were able to experimentally demonstrate that SFB functions as a pollen S determinant. On the other hand, we found no evidence from any of the experiments for the polyubiquitination of S-RNase by SLFLs or SFBL, which were hypothesized to be general inhibitor inactivating S-RNase, indicating the need to reconsider our working hypothesis. The experimental results using antisense oligonucleotides not only demonstrated the functions of MGST and SFB but also suggested potential methods for artificially breaking self-incompatibility.

Free Research Field

果樹園芸学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により，バラ科サクラ属の不和合反応の枢要を担う花粉S因子SFBの機能の一端が実験的に証明された．さらに不和合性花粉側共通因子のS-RNase活性化機能を示唆する結果も得られた．これらは，進化遺伝学や植物生理学など基礎生物学の発展に寄与するものである．他方で，アンチセンスオリゴを用いた実験結果は，自家不和合性の人為打破法の開発に向けた可能性を明確に示しており，サクラ属の自家不和合性を人為制御するための栽培技術や育種法の開発の可能性を示した実用的な成果である．