Abstract
Diatoms are unicellular algae with plastids acquired by secondary endosymbiosis. They are responsible for approximately 20% of global carbon fixation. We report the 34 million-base pair draft nuclear genome of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and its 129 thousand-base pair plastid and 44 thousand-base pair mitochondrial genomes. Sequence and optical restriction mapping revealed 24 diploid nuclear chromosomes. We identified novel genes for silicic acid transport and formation of silica-based cell walls, high-affinity iron uptake, biosynthetic enzymes for several types of polyunsaturated fatty acids, use of a range of nitrogenous compounds, and a complete urea cycle, all attributes that allow diatoms to prosper in aquatic environments.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adaptation, Physiological
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Algal Proteins / chemistry
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Algal Proteins / genetics
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Algal Proteins / physiology
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Animals
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Biological Evolution*
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Cell Nucleus / genetics
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Chromosomes
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DNA / genetics
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Diatoms / chemistry
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Diatoms / cytology
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Diatoms / genetics*
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Diatoms / metabolism
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Ecosystem*
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Energy Metabolism
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Genome*
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Iron / metabolism
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Light
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Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes / chemistry
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Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes / genetics
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Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes / metabolism
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Mitochondria / genetics
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Nitrogen / metabolism
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Photosynthesis
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Plastids / genetics
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Restriction Mapping
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Sequence Alignment
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Sequence Analysis, DNA*
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Silicic Acid / metabolism
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Symbiosis
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Urea / metabolism
Substances
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Algal Proteins
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Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes
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Silicic Acid
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Urea
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DNA
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Iron
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Nitrogen