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Genome Sequence

Nuclear Genome

The P. tricornutum  genome is currently estimated to be approximately 27.4 Mbp in size. Nearly 10,000 genes are split across what is thought to be 33 chromosomes in the nucleus.

Further work into the nuclear genomic sequence identified the presence of 25 centromeric sequences. Combined with the fact that not all of the 33 chromosomes have been closed telomere to telomere, there is need for resequencing efforts of the P. tricornutum genome.

The Phaeodactylum genome reveals the evolutionary history of diatom genomes. (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07410

Diatom centromeres suggest a mechanism for nuclear DNA acquisition. (2017). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1700764114

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Taken from: Diatom centromeres suggest a mechanism for nuclear DNA acquisition. (2017). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1700764114

Mitochondrial Genome

The mitochondrial genome of P. tricornutum is 77,356 bp large, nearly double that of most related species, such as Thalassiosira pseudonana.

Comprised of the typical diatom and brown algae set of approximately 2 rRNA genes, 24 tRNAs, and 34 protein coding genes, what sets the P. tricornutum mitochondrial genome apart is a large repeat region, nearly 35 Kbp in size.

Mt Genome (77.36 Kbp)

Complex repeat structures and novel features in the mitochondrial genomes of the diatoms Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana. (2011). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2011.02.001

Chloroplast Genome

While the chloroplast genome of P. tricornutum is 117,369 bp, smaller than that of T. pseudonana, it shares a similar genetic structure. A single circular genome, with a large single-copy region, a small single-copy region, and two smaller inverted repeat regions inbetween.

Cp Genome (117.37 Kbp)

Chloroplast genomes of the diatoms Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana: comparison with other plastid genomes of the red lineage. (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-006-0199-4

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