Conserved role of fructokinase-like protein 1 in chloroplast development revealed by a seedling-lethal albino mutant of pepper

Dear Editor, Chloroplasts perform photosynthesis and thus drive the growth,development,and reproduction of plants.Mutations in genes that encode chloroplast proteins fre-quently lead to chlorophyll deficiencies.Studies on chlorophyll-deficient mutants have led to major advances in our knowledge of chloroplast-and photosynthesis-associated genes in model plants.Similarly,studies on chlorophyll-deficient mutants will contribute to our understanding of chloroplast development and function in solanaceous crops,such as pepper,thus helping us to rationally manipulate photosynthesis for crop improvement.Pepper is a globally important vegetable that is used as a spice,food,and medicine.