varDB: common ground for a shifting landscape.

TitlevarDB: common ground for a shifting landscape.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsAllred DR, Barbet AF, J Barry D, Deitsch KW
JournalTrends Parasitol
Volume25
Issue6
Pagination249-52
Date Published2009 Jun
ISSN1471-5007
KeywordsAnimals, Antigenic Variation, Bacteria, Databases, Genetic, Databases, Protein, Eukaryota, Fungi, HIV, Humans, Proteins, Structure-Activity Relationship
Abstract

Antigenic variation is a phylogenetically widespread phenomenon thought to lead to survival benefits for the pathogen. Although governed by genetic mechanisms, antigenic variation is ultimately manifested in variant proteins. The varDB database is an attempt to gain an overview of common structures and functions of variant proteins related to enhanced survival. varDB provides a wealth of sequence data and several tools to facilitate their analysis, but current limitations preclude achievement of its full promise. A critique of this database and how it could serve the scientific community is provided here.

DOI10.1016/j.pt.2009.03.003
Alternate JournalTrends Parasitol
PubMed ID19423393
PubMed Central IDPMC3697053
Grant ListR01 AI052390 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI055864 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM081714 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States

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