More than a photoreceptor: aureochromes are intrinsic to the diatom light-regulated transcriptional network.

Aureochromes are light-responsive transcription factors found in photosynthetic stramenopile algae, including diatoms. They contain a blue light-sensitive LOV domain and a DNA-binding bZIP domain. Aureochromes can form homo- and heterodimers, activating the expression of intermediate regulatory factors in diatoms. These photoreceptors are important for sustaining the aquatic food web and have unique properties that allow them to directly bind to target DNA upon blue light activation. The study of aureochromes in diatoms, particularly in the model organism Phaeodactylum tricornutum, has provided insights into their role in gene regulation and their interactions with other transcription factors. Further research is needed to explore the regulatory network components and the diversity of aureochromes in different stramenopile species. [Extracted from the article]