Gametophytic self-incompatibility or the more things change…

Gametophytic Self-Incompatibility in Petunia

Gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI), which prevents growth of a pollen tube through the style, provides a means of preventing self-pollination. Seen in most eudicot plant families, GSI in the genus Petunia was described by Darwin in the 19th century. By the time the first edition of this monograph was published in 1984, nearly a century later, most of the readily observable phenomena associ...

The more things change.

Protein Interactions in S-RNase-Based Gametophytic Self-Incompatibility

Loss of gametophytic self-incompatibility with evolution of inbreeding depression.

Gametophytic self-incompatibility (SI) in plants is a widespread mechanism preventing self-fertilization and the ensuing inbreeding depression, but it often evolves to self-compatibility. We analyze genetic mechanisms for the breakdown of gametophytic SI, incorporating a dynamic model for the evolution of inbreeding depression allowing for partial purging of nearly recessive lethal mutations by...

The more things change ... reflections on midwifery.