Molecular diversity at the self-incompatibility locus is a salient feature in natural populations of wild tomato (Lycopersicon peruvianum)

A cDNA encoding a stylar protein was cloned from flowers of self-incompatible wild tomato (Lycopersicon peruvianum). The corresponding gene was mapped to the S locus, which is responsible for self-incompatibility. The nucleotide sequence was determined for this allele, and compared to other S-related sequences in the Solanaceae. The S allele was used to probe DNA from 92 plants comprising 10 natural populations of Lycopersicon peruvianum. Hybridization was conducted under moderate and permissive stringencies in order to detect homologous sequences. Few alleles were detected, even under permissive conditions, underscoring the great sequence diversity at this locus. Those alleles that were de…