Characterization of DNaJ-like protein, a novel non-S factor candidate of Prunus self-incompatibility

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06031
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 39030:Horticultural science-related
• Research Institution: Fukui Prefectural University (2021-2023); Yamagata University (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Matsumoto Daiki 福井県立大学, 生物資源学部, 准教授 (30632129)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: サクラ属 / 自家不和合性 / S-RNase / DnaJ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Prunus fruit species exhibit S-RNase based self-incompatibility (SI), which results in instable fruit set. The other factors than pollen and pistil S determinants, Non-S factors, are also required for SI expression. We previously isolated a novel DNaJ-like protein in a screen for S-RNase binding pollen proteins. In this study, SDJ was analyzed at molecular level to clarify whether SDJ acts as a Non-S factor. Our study suggested that SDJ emerged during species differentiation in Rosaceae and evolved to gain a function in self-incompatibility.

Free Research Field

果樹園芸学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

S-RNase型の自家不和合性は双子葉植物の祖先的機構だと考えられているが、近年ではそれぞれの植物種でメカニズムが多様化した可能性も指摘されている。本研究では、S-RNase型自家不和合性が特に特異な進化を遂げたと考えているバラ科サクラ属果樹を研究対象にして、新規の花粉発現DnaJ様タンパク質SDJについて解析を行った。調査の結果、SDJ遺伝子はバラ科の出現以降に誕生し、サクラ属の自家不和合性に関与している可能性が示唆された。