We found that these proteins combine two strategies: a ‘global’ strategy where proteins are broadly repulsive regardless of the partner, and a ‘local’ strategy where proteins specifically attract or repel only particular partners.

This system is based on molecular recognition (or lack of) between highly diverse proteins of two families, that are expressed in the plant reproductive organs. We studied how the molecular recognition domains of these proteins evolve, under pressures to match some partners and mismatch others.

In this picture you can see self-compatible (left) vs. self-incompatible (right) flowers of a wild tomato S. habrochaites.
The plants were grown by Ben Stescovich from my lab with the help of Menachem Moshelion, and thanks to Dani Zamir for providing us the seeds! @huji-pes.bsky.social

As self-compatible plants are guaranteed to be pollinated, they do not need to attract pollinating insects to visit the flowers. One of the changes known follow the transition to self-compatibility is the decrease of flower size relative to self-incompatible plants.

congratulations!!