UniProt

Definition

UniProt is a comprehensive protein sequence and functional information database that provides a central repository for protein data, including sequences, structures, functions, and interactions. It plays a crucial role in bioinformatics by consolidating protein information from various sources, making it easier for researchers to access and utilize the data for functional annotation of genes and proteins and facilitating the integration of diverse genomic databases like GenBank and EMBL.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. UniProt is divided into three main sections: UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot (curated and reviewed), UniProtKB/TrEMBL (automatically annotated), and UniRef (clusters of identical or similar sequences).
2. The database is continuously updated by both automated processes and contributions from expert curators, ensuring the information remains current and reliable.
3. UniProt provides a wealth of data such as protein names, function descriptions, post-translational modifications, subcellular localization, and disease associations.
4. It also integrates with other databases like GenBank and EMBL by linking relevant records, which helps in enhancing the understanding of protein function in the context of genomic data.
5. Researchers can use UniProt for various applications such as comparative genomics, proteomics studies, and drug design, making it an essential tool in modern biological research.

Review Questions

• How does UniProt enhance the functional annotation of proteins compared to standalone databases like GenBank?
  • UniProt enhances functional annotation by providing a centralized resource that aggregates protein data from multiple sources. Unlike standalone databases such as GenBank that primarily focus on nucleic acid sequences, UniProt includes detailed information about protein sequences, structures, functions, and interactions. This comprehensive view allows researchers to better understand the biological roles of proteins in various contexts and facilitates the integration of genomic data with functional insights.
• Discuss the importance of the different sections within UniProt, particularly how they contribute to the quality and usability of protein information.
  • The three main sections of UniProt—UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot, UniProtKB/TrEMBL, and UniRef—each serve distinct purposes that enhance the quality and usability of protein information. UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot offers curated entries with high-quality annotations verified by experts, while UniProtKB/TrEMBL contains automatically annotated entries that provide a broader coverage of protein sequences. UniRef clusters similar sequences to facilitate efficient searching. Together, these sections ensure that users can access both comprehensive sequence data and reliable functional annotations tailored to their research needs.
• Evaluate how UniProt's integration with other databases impacts research in computational genomics and molecular biology.
  • UniProt's integration with other databases like GenBank and EMBL greatly enhances research in computational genomics and molecular biology by providing a seamless flow of information between genomic sequences and their corresponding protein products. This interconnectedness allows scientists to link genetic variations to specific protein functions or diseases more effectively. By offering a consolidated platform where different types of biological data can be cross-referenced, UniProt aids researchers in making more informed decisions about experimental design and interpreting results within a broader biological context.

Related terms

Protein Sequence: The order of amino acids in a protein, which determines its structure and function.

Gene Ontology:

A standardized vocabulary that describes gene and gene product attributes across all species, often used for functional annotation.

Bioinformatics:

An interdisciplinary field that combines biology, computer science, and mathematics to analyze and interpret biological data.