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dbTEU: a protein database of trace element utilization
1Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Bioinformatics (Oxford, England)
|January 8, 2010
Summary
A new database, dbTEU, catalogs proteins and transporters for essential biological trace elements like copper and selenium across all domains of life. This resource aids research into trace element utilization in diverse organisms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Biological trace elements are vital for numerous cellular functions and are essential for all known life forms.
- Understanding the roles and mechanisms of trace element utilization is crucial for comprehending biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce dbTEU, a comprehensive database detailing trace element utilization.
- To curate and present information on proteins and transporters involved with five key trace elements: copper, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, and selenium.
Main Methods:
- Development of a manually curated database, dbTEU.
- Inclusion of data from over 700 sequenced organisms spanning the three domains of life.
- Implementation of interactive search and browse functionalities for trace elements, proteins, organisms, and sequences.
Main Results:
- The dbTEU database contains approximately 16,500 proteins associated with trace element utilization.
- The database covers five essential trace elements: copper, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, and selenium.
- dbTEU provides a centralized resource for exploring trace element-related biological components.
Conclusions:
- dbTEU serves as a valuable, freely accessible resource for researchers studying biological trace element metabolism.
- The database facilitates comparative genomics and functional studies related to trace element homeostasis and function.
- dbTEU supports a deeper understanding of the fundamental biological roles of trace elements across diverse life forms.
