Pre-purification of diatom pigment protein complexes provides insight into the heterogeneity of FCP complexes.

Background: Although our knowledge about diatom photosynthesis has made huge progress over the last years, many aspects about their photosynthetic apparatus are still enigmatic. According to published data, the spatial organization as well as the biochemical composition of diatom thylakoid membranes is significantly different from that of higher plants.

Results: In this study the pigment protein complexes of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana were isolated by anion exchange chromatography.