De novo transcriptome assembly and analysis of the freshwater araphid diatom Fragilaria radians, Lake Baikal.

Diatoms are a group of eukaryotic microalgae populating almost all aquatic and wet environments. Their abundance and species diversity make these organisms significant contributors to biogeochemical cycles and important components of aquatic ecosystems. Although significant progress has been made in studies of Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) over the last two decades, since the spread of "omics" technologies, our current knowledge of the molecular processes and gene regulatory networks that facilitate environmental adaptation remain incomplete.

A new subfamily LIP of the major intrinsic proteins.

Background: Proteins of the major intrinsic protein (MIP) family, or aquaporins, have been detected in almost all organisms. These proteins are important in cells and organisms because they allow for passive transmembrane transport of water and other small, uncharged polar molecules.

Results: We compared the predicted amino acid sequences of 20 MIPs from several algae species of the phylum Heterokontophyta (Kingdom Chromista) with the sequences of MIPs from other organisms.