Characterization and localization of short-specific polygalacturonase in distylous Turnera subulata (Turneraceae)

We describe for distylous Turnera subulata a polygalacturonase specific to short-styled plants that is localized to the style transmitting tissue (the tissue through which pollen tubes grow). The polygalacturonase gene is linked to and may be upregulated by the S allele of the distyly locus. Because of its tissue-specific location, the polygalacturonase may be involved in the self-incompatibility response, acting in a complementary or antagonistic manner, or possibly in signalling downstream events. A pollen-specific polygalacturonase was also identified and may be a member of a small multigene family of pollen polygalacturonases. The role, if any, played by the pollen polygalacturonase in distyly, is presently unknown.