Cell-cell signaling in the self-incompatibility response

Significant progress towards understanding the molecular basis of self recognition in the self-incompatibility response of Brassica has been made during the past two years. The highly polymorphic molecules that determine the specificity of this interaction in the pollen and stigma have been identified. The structural features of these molecules suggest that a ligand-receptor-kinase interaction triggers the initiation of a signaling cascade within the stigma epidermis and the subsequent arrest of self-pollination.