UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot

Definition

UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot is a manually curated protein sequence database that provides detailed functional information on proteins, including their structure, function, and involvement in biological processes. It is an essential resource for researchers in fields like proteomics and mass spectrometry, enabling the identification and characterization of proteins within complex biological samples.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot is a comprehensive database that not only contains protein sequences but also integrates functional annotations and information about post-translational modifications.
2. It employs expert curators who validate and annotate data to ensure high-quality information, making it a reliable resource for researchers analyzing protein functions.
3. The database supports various search tools, allowing users to find specific proteins based on different criteria like sequence similarity, gene name, or biological function.
4. UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot data can be accessed through web interfaces and APIs, facilitating integration with other bioinformatics tools and databases for broader analyses.
5. It frequently updates its entries to incorporate the latest scientific findings, ensuring that researchers have access to the most current information on protein sequences and functions.

Review Questions

• How does UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot contribute to the understanding of protein functions in proteomics research?
  • UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot plays a crucial role in proteomics research by providing detailed functional annotations for a vast array of proteins. This curated information aids researchers in interpreting mass spectrometry data by linking identified proteins to their biological roles, cellular locations, and interactions. By having access to well-documented protein information, scientists can better understand complex biological systems and the significance of specific proteins within those systems.
• Evaluate the importance of manual curation in maintaining the quality of data in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot compared to automated databases.
  • Manual curation is vital for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of data in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot as it ensures that the annotations reflect current scientific knowledge. Unlike automated databases that may rely on computational predictions, UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot employs expert curators who verify and update protein information based on peer-reviewed literature. This human oversight enhances the quality of data available to researchers, allowing for more confident conclusions in experimental findings.
• Synthesize how UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot integrates with mass spectrometry techniques to advance our understanding of cellular functions.
  • UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot integrates seamlessly with mass spectrometry techniques by providing a reference database that helps interpret the vast amounts of data generated from protein analyses. By matching experimental mass spectrometry results against its curated protein entries, researchers can identify proteins present in complex biological samples. Furthermore, the detailed functional annotations help contextualize these proteins within cellular pathways and processes, ultimately advancing our understanding of cellular functions and disease mechanisms.

Related terms

Proteomics:

The large-scale study of proteins, particularly their functions and structures, often involving techniques like mass spectrometry to analyze protein expression and modifications.

Mass Spectrometry: An analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions, commonly employed in proteomics for identifying and quantifying proteins in complex mixtures.

FASTA format: A text-based format for representing nucleotide or protein sequences, widely used in bioinformatics to store and share sequence data.