Molecular and Evolutionary Characterization of PollenSDeterminant (SFB Alleles) in Four Diploid and Hexaploid Plum Species (Prunusspp.)

In more than 60 families of angiosperms, the self- and cross-fertilization is avoided through a complex widespread genetic system called self-incompatibility (SI). One of the major puzzling issues concerning the SI is the evolution of this system in species with complex polyploid genomes. Among plums, one of the first fruits species to attract human interest, polyploid species represent enormous genetic potential, which can be exploited in breeding programs. However, molecular studies in these species are very scarce due to the complexity of their genome. In order to study the SFB gene [the male component of gametophytic self-incompatibility system (GSI)] in plum species, 36 plum accessions belonging to diploid and hexaploid species were used. A total of 19 different alleles were identified; 1 of them was revealed after analyzing sequences. Peptide sequence analysis allowed identifying the five domains features of the SFB gene. Polymorphism analysis showed a subtle difference between domesticated and open pollinated Tunisian accessions and suggested a probable influence of the ploidy level. Divergence analysis between studied sequences showed that a new specificity may appear after 5.3% of divergence at synonymous sites between pairs of sequences inPrunus insititia, 6% inPrunus cerasifera, 8% and 9% inPrunus domesticaandPrunus salicinarespectively. Furthermore, sites under positive selection, the ones more likely to be responsible for specificity determination, were identified. A positive and significant Pearson correlation was found between the divergence between sequences, divergence time, fixed substitutions (MK test), and PSS number. These results supported the model assuming that functionally distinct proteins have arisen not as a result of chance fixation of neutral variants, but rather as a result of positive Darwinian selection. Further, the role that plays recombination can not be ruled out, since a rate of 0.08 recombination event per polymorphic sites was identified.

Automated summary

The study focused on the analysis of the SFB gene in plum species, identifying different alleles and structural domain features, and suggesting potential new specificities in different species. Additionally, potential sites under positive selection were identified, and the correlation between sequence divergence, divergence time, fixed substitutions, and the number of positive selection sites was supported through analysis. The study also suggested a role for recombination in the evolution of functionally distinct proteins in plum species.