Abstract
In Brassica species, self-incompatibility has been mapped genetically to a single chromosomal location. In this region several closely linked genes have been identified. One of them, S-locus receptor kinase (SRK), determines Shaplotype specificity of the stigma and it's the key protein for SI reaction. The role of the Slocus glycoprotein (SLG) gene remains unclear. In the last decade approximately 15 additional genes linked to S-locus have been found. Recently, a gene has been identified (SCR) that encodes a small cysteine-rich protein which is a candidate for the pollen ligand. In addition to Slocus linked genes there are unlinked SLR genes (S-locus related genes). In this review, we discuss the role of these genes and the current view on the self-incompatibility mechanism in Brassica.