HaptenDB: a comprehensive database of haptens, carrier proteins and anti-hapten antibodies

The key requirement for successful immunochemical assay is the availability of antibodies with high specificity and desired affinity. Small molecules, when used as haptens, are not immunogenic. However, on conjugating with carrier molecule they elicit antibody response. The production of anti-hapten antibodies of desired specificity largely depends on the hapten design (preserving greatly the chemical structure and spatial conformation of target compound), selection of the appropriate carrier protein and the conjugation method. This manuscript describes a curated database HaptenDB, where information is collected from published literature and web resources. The current version of the database has 2021 entries for 1087 haptens and 25 carrier proteins, where each entry provides comprehensive details about (1) nature of the hapten, (2) 2D and 3D structures of haptens, (3) carrier proteins, (4) coupling method, (5) method of anti-hapten antibody production, (6) assay method (used for characterization) and (7) specificities of antibodies. The current version of HaptenDB covers a wide array of haptens including pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, drugs, vitamins, steroids, hormones, toxins, dyes, explosives, etc. It provides internal and external links to various databases/resources to obtain further information about the nature of haptens, carriers and respective antibodies. For structure similarity comparison of haptens, the database also integrates tools like JME Editor and JMOL for sketching, displaying and manipulating hapten 2D/3D structures online. So the database would be of great help in identifying functional group(s) in smaller molecules using antibodies as well as for the development of immunodiagnostics/therapeutics by providing data and procedures available so far for the generation of specific or cross-reactive antibodies.

HaptenDB is available on http://www.imtech.res.in/raghava/haptendb/ and http://bioinformatics.uams.edu/raghava/haptendb/ (Mirror site).