Entrez Gene: gene-centered information at NCBI.

Area of Science:

• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Entrez Gene is a central database for gene-specific information at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
• It compiles data from fully sequenced genomes, active research communities, and planned sequence analyses.
• The database integrates information from NCBI's Reference Sequence project (RefSeq), model organism databases, and Gene Ontology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the structure and content of the Entrez Gene database.
• To highlight the data sources and integration methods used.
• To outline the accessibility and utility of Entrez Gene for biological research.

Main Methods:

• Data integration from multiple sources including RefSeq, model organism databases, and Gene Ontology.
• Assignment of unique, stable, and tracked integer identifiers to each gene record.
• Content curation and automated processing by NCBI.

Main Results:

• Entrez Gene provides comprehensive records for genes, including nomenclature, genomic location, and gene products.
• Detailed attributes such as markers, phenotypes, and links to related data (citations, sequences, variations, expression, homologs) are included.
• Records are accessible via interactive browsing, E-Utilities, and FTP for bulk download.

Conclusions:

• Entrez Gene serves as a vital resource for gene-specific information, supporting diverse research needs.
• The database's integrated approach and multiple access methods enhance its utility for the scientific community.
• Unique identifiers ensure data stability and facilitate cross-referencing and data retrieval.