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A pistil-expressed pectin methylesterase confers cross-incompatibility between strains of Zea mays

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  • Yongxian Lu

    (Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Samuel A. Hokin

    (Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Jerry L. Kermicle

    (University of Wisconsin)

  • Thomas Hartwig

    (Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Mathew M. S. Evans

    (Carnegie Institution for Science)

Abstract

A central problem in speciation is the origin and mechanisms of reproductive barriers that block gene flow between sympatric populations. Wind-pollinated plant species that flower in synchrony with one another rely on post-pollination interactions to maintain reproductive isolation. In some locations in Mexico, sympatric populations of domesticated maize and annual teosinte grow in intimate associate and flower synchronously, but rarely produce hybrids. This trait is typically conferred by a single haplotype, Teosinte crossing barrier1-s. Here, we show that the Teosinte crossing barrier1-s haplotype contains a pistil-expressed, potential speciation gene, encoding a pectin methylesterase homolog. The modification of the pollen tube cell wall by the pistil, then, is likely a key mechanism for pollen rejection in Zea and may represent a general mechanism for reproductive isolation in grasses.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongxian Lu & Samuel A. Hokin & Jerry L. Kermicle & Thomas Hartwig & Mathew M. S. Evans, 2019. "A pistil-expressed pectin methylesterase confers cross-incompatibility between strains of Zea mays," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10259-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10259-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuebin Wang & Wenqiang Li & Luxi Wang & Jiali Yan & Gang Lu & Ning Yang & Jieting Xu & Yuqing Wang & Songtao Gui & Gengshen Chen & Shuyan Li & Chengxiu Wu & Tingting Guo & Yingjie Xiao & Marilyn L. Wa, 2022. "Three types of genes underlying the Gametophyte factor1 locus cause unilateral cross incompatibility in maize," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Zhibin Chen & Zhaogui Zhang & Huairen Zhang & Kai Li & Darun Cai & Li Zhao & Juan Liu & Huabang Chen, 2022. "A pair of non-Mendelian genes at the Ga2 locus confer unilateral cross-incompatibility in maize," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Shimin You & Zhigang Zhao & Xiaowen Yu & Shanshan Zhu & Jian Wang & Dekun Lei & Jiawu Zhou & Jing Li & Haiyuan Chen & Yanjia Xiao & Weiwei Chen & Qiming Wang & Jiayu Lu & Keyi Chen & Chunlei Zhou & Xi, 2023. "A toxin-antidote system contributes to interspecific reproductive isolation in rice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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