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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
13:16
Characterization of Membrane Transporters by Heterologous Expression in E. coli and Production of Membrane Vesicles
Published on: December 31, 2019
TransportDB: a comprehensive database resource for cytoplasmic membrane transport systems and outer membrane channels
Qinghu Ren1, Kaixi Chen, Ian T Paulsen
1The Institute for Genomic Research, 9712 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
Nucleic Acids Research
|December 1, 2006
Summary
TransportDB is a decade-old database detailing cytoplasmic membrane transporters and outer membrane channels. It provides comprehensive data and tools for studying these essential biological components.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Membrane transport systems are crucial for cellular function.
- Understanding these systems requires comprehensive, accessible data resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present TransportDB, a continuously updated database of membrane transporters and outer membrane channels.
- To provide bioinformatic and experimental evidence for classification and annotation.
- To offer user-friendly tools for data access, querying, and analysis.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide annotation of transport systems and outer membrane channels.
- Classification based on transport mode, bioenergetics, phylogeny, and substrate specificity.
- Development of web interfaces with search, comparison, and visualization tools.
Main Results:
- TransportDB offers a curated collection of transport proteins from sequenced organisms.
- Includes detailed annotations, sequences, 3D structures, and phylogenetic trees.
- Provides integrated access to experimental and bioinformatic evidence.
Conclusions:
- TransportDB serves as a valuable, long-standing resource for researchers studying membrane transport.
- Regular updates ensure the database remains relevant with new genomic and functional data.
- Facilitates comparative genomics and detailed analysis of transport mechanisms.
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