Ben Engel @cellarchlab.com · Nov 29 The previous tomogram shows the pyrenoid of the centric diatom, Thalassiosira pseudonana. And here's the pyrenoid of the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. #TeamTomo🧪🔬 Both have shells, but the central thylakoids (source of #CO2) in Phaeo fenestrate through the shell. Why the difference? 2/🧵
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The answer may lie in the diversification of PyShell proteins in Thala. While Shell1/2 are the major building blocks (mutant = no shell), Thala-specific Shell4 appears to help shape pyrenoid architecture (mutant = misplaced shell pieces). Both mutants have impaired #CO2 fixation and growth🧪🌊🧶🧬 3/🧵