Expression of a Self-Incompatibility Glycoprotein (S2-Ribonuclease) from Nicotiana alata in Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum

In Nicotiana alata, self-incompatibility is controlled by a single locus, designated the S-locus, with multiple alleles. Stylar products of these alleles are ribonucleases that are secreted mainly in the transmitting tract tissues. N. tabacum plants were transformed with constructs containing the S2-cDNA and genomic S2-sequences from N. alata that were linked to the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Unlike other genes controlled by this promoter, the genes were expressed most highly in mature floral organs. This pattern of expression was observed at both the protein and RNA levels. The S2-glycoprotein was detected in the stylar transmitting tract tissues of the transgenic plants. The transgene product was secreted, had ribonuclease activity, and was glycosylated with the correct number of glycan chains. However, the maximum level of S2-glycoprotein in styles of the transgenic plants was approximately 100-fold lower than that found in N. alata styles carrying the S2-allele. Perhaps because of this lower protein level, the plants showed no changes in the incompatibility phenotype.