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BIOSITE: a program for the interactive comparison of aligned homologous protein sequences
V B Cockcroft1, J T Pedersen, G G Lunt
1Molecular Graphics Unit, Bath University, UK.
Computer Applications in the Biosciences : CABIOS
|February 1, 1992
Summary
BIOSITE is a new program for comparing homologous amino-acid sequences visually. It helps biologists identify sequence-function relationships by highlighting sequence identities and differences.
Area of Science:
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular Biology
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Understanding sequence-function relationships is crucial in molecular biology.
- Visual comparison of homologous sequences aids in identifying functionally important sites.
- Existing tools may lack interactive features for detailed sequence analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present BIOSITE, a novel program for interactive visual comparison of aligned homologous amino-acid sequences.
- To demonstrate the utility of BIOSITE in identifying candidate sites related to specific functional properties.
- To provide biologists with an effective tool for exploring sequence-function correlations.
Main Methods:
- Development of the BIOSITE program for sequence comparison.
- Implementation of 'identity' and 'difference' sequence generation features.
- Application of BIOSITE to analyze subsets of sequences for functional site identification.
Main Results:
- BIOSITE enables interactive visual comparison of homologous amino-acid sequences.
- The program generates 'identity' and 'difference' sequences for detailed analysis.
- Candidate sites involved in distinct functional properties can be identified using BIOSITE.
Conclusions:
- BIOSITE is a valuable tool for biologists studying sequence-function relationships.
- The program facilitates the identification of functionally significant amino-acid sites.
- Interactive visual comparison enhances the understanding of molecular sequence evolution and function.
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