Identification of a gene linked to the Brassica S (self-incompatibility) locus by differential display

Self-incompatibility in Brassica is controlled by a complex locus, the S lo cus, that includes several expressed genes. Two S locus genes, SLG and SRK, are expressed in the stigma and have been implicated in self-pollen recogn ition. The male component of this recognition system is also predicted to b e encoded by a gene at the S locus but this gene has not been identified to date. In this study, we have used differential display to screen for polym orphic, S-locus-linked genes that are expressed in anthers. This approach h as allowed the identification of a gene, named S5J, which was shown to segr egate completely with the S locus. We discuss the possible role of this gen e in the self-incompatibility response and evaluate the utility of differen tial display for the identification of genes at specific genetic loci. (C) 1999 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS .