Protein Databases
Protein databases are essential
repositories of information about protein sequences, structures, and functions.
These databases help researchers in zoology and related fields study the
molecular biology of organisms, offering insights into protein functions,
evolutionary relationships, and biochemical properties.
1. PIR (Protein
Information Resource)
The Protein Information Resource
(PIR) is one of the oldest protein databases, established in 1984. It is
maintained by the National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF) and provides
protein sequence data and functional annotations.
PIR contains protein sequences from
diverse species, including animals, plants, bacteria, and viruses, with
detailed annotations.
Features of Protein Database:
1)
Functional and structural
annotations.
2)
Provides protein families and domain
classifications.
3)
Integrates tools for protein sequence
analysis and prediction.
SWISS-PROT is a manually curated
protein sequence database, maintained by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics
(SIB) and the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). It is known for its high
level of annotation and accuracy.
SWISS-PROT provides highly
reliable, non-redundant protein sequence data with detailed functional
information and biological significance.
Features of SWISS-PROT:
1)
Detailed annotations on protein
functions, domains, post-translational modifications, and cross-references to
other databases.
2)
Minimal redundancy and focus on
quality over quantity.
3)
Regular updates to ensure accurate
and up-to-date information.
We can explore SWISS-PROT from UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics | Expasy
TrEMBL contains all protein sequences
that are translated from nucleotide sequences in the EMBL database, but are yet
to be reviewed and included in SWISS-PROT.
Features of TrEMBL:
1)
Large collection of protein
sequences, including predicted proteins.
2)
Automatic functional annotations
based on sequence similarity.
3)
Complements SWISS-PROT by offering a
broader range of sequences.
We can explore TrEMBL from https://www.uniprot.org
4. PDB (Protein Data Bank)
The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is a
global repository for the 3D structures of biological macromolecules, including
proteins and nucleic acids. It is maintained by the Research Collaboratory for
Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB).
PDB contains experimentally
determined 3D structures of proteins, DNA, RNA, and complexes, primarily from
X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy.
Features of PDB:
1)
Provides 3D structural data of
proteins and other biomolecules.
2)
Tools for visualizing, analyzing, and
comparing protein structures.
3)
Links to related sequence databases
and functional annotations.
We can explore PDB from www.rcsb.org
Protein databases like PIR,
SWISS-PROT, TrEMBL, and PDB are vital tools for Computational biology. These
databases allow access to a wealth of information on protein sequences,
structures, and functions. These resources help to explore various aspects of
molecular biology, evolutionary studies, and functional genomics across
different animal species.
Nucleic Acid Databases , Biological Databases , Primary, Secondary and Composite Databases, Nucleic Acid Databases, Protein Databases