Evolution of Sex Chromosomes and Gynoecium Suppression in Plants

White campion (Silene latifolia, Caryophyllaceae) is a classical model species for studies of sex determination and chromosome evolution in dioecious plants. Deletion mapping this revealed the presence two Y-linked determining genes—the stamen promoting factor (SPF) gene gynoecium suppressing (GSF), which inspired development classic ‘two genes’ dioecy evolution. We recently identified GSFY that encodes CLAVATA3 homolog causes suppression S. latifolia via WUSCHEL-CLAVATA feedback loop. Interestingly, WUSCHEL (SlWUS1) also sex-linked both SlWUS1 are located oldest part chromosomes, suggesting selection to prevent recombination between these genes may have contributed origination chromosomes species. The WUS-CLV3 pathway involved sexual differentiation kiwifruits melon, indicating plays central role monoecious