Human transporter database: comprehensive knowledge and discovery tools in the human transporter genes

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Transporters are crucial for substance exchange and linked to pharmacogenetics.
• High-throughput technologies generate vast data on transporter genes in health and disease.
• An updated, accessible knowledgebase for human transporters is urgently needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive, curated, and annotated human transporter knowledgebase.
• To provide an easily accessible resource for researchers studying transporter genes.
• To facilitate the exploration of transporter functions and disease associations.

Main Methods:

• A pipeline combining automated queries, sequence similarity searches, and manual curation was employed.
• 1,555 non-redundant human transporter genes were collected.
• Extensive annotations were performed for expression patterns, polymorphisms, and ligand relationships.

Main Results:

• The Human Transporter Database (HTD) was established (http://htd.cbi.pku.edu.cn).
• Transporter genes are enriched in fundamental biological processes like oxidative phosphorylation and cardiac muscle contraction.
• Significant associations were found between transporters and diseases such as epilepsy and sudden infant death syndrome.

Conclusions:

• The HTD provides a well-organized interface for accessing detailed molecular and genetic transporter information.
• This database facilitates research into transporter functions and their roles in disease.
• The HTD supports the development of personalized medicine through enhanced understanding of human transporters.