LCY — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaLCY (T459_26566) on pepper chromosome 10 encodes a protein with lycopene beta-cyclase, capsanthin synthase, capsorubin synthase and neoxanthin synthase activities. The protein localises to plastid, chloroplast and chromoplast membranes. In pepper, CaLCY is associated with the biosynthesis of beta-carotene, xanthophylls, abscisic acid and ubiquinone, as well as with photoprotection and virus-induced post-transcriptional gene silencing. The gene has been connected to lutein content, respiration rate, ethylene sensitivity, plant height, flowering time, biomass and photosystem I photoprotection. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to fruit colour, size, shape and firmness, yield, carotenoid and chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and tolerance to abiotic stresses including salt.