NSF Award
9808414
The Protein Information Resource (PIR), established at the National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF) by Margaret Dayhoff, collaboratively collects and publishes the PIR International Protein Sequence Database, the oldest database of biomolecular sequences and annotation. As part of its effort to produce a protein sequence database that is comprehensive, accurate, precise and consistent, the PIR maintains a number of auxiliary annotation databases. RESID a prototype auxiliary database was constructed for modified amino acid residues annotated as features in the PIR Protein Sequence Database. Consulted by annotators and outside experts the RESID Database provides more detailed chemical information than is possible in the protein sequence database, appropriate annotations to accompany features in the Protein Sequence Database, and a means to calculate correct molecular weights for modified peptides. It is also used as the standard for automatic checking of syntax and vocabulary in feature records. It is the only publicly available, human- and computer-readable database comprehensively documenting protein structural modifications, and has been recognized as a resource useful in identifying post-translationally modified peptides by mass-spectroscopy. The objectives of the proposed two-year effort are: to undertake the enhancements necessary to make RESID accessible on the Intemet, to construct molecular descriptions for the database that will enable graphical presentation and assist researchers in generating molecular models of post-translationally modified peptides, and to integrate software that will display the chemical structure of modified residues with existing sequence database access programs. When this project is completed, the enhanced RESID Database will provide users of ATLAS and the PIR World Wide Web Site with visual display and molecular modeling information not previously available, a comprehensive collection of protein post-translational modifications. It will also support interoperability between the PIR and other biomolecular structural databases such as the Brookhaven Protein Databank. Abstract July 25, 1998 1
