MoonProt: a database for proteins that are known to moonlight.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Proteomics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Moonlighting proteins are single polypeptides with multiple distinct biochemical functions.
• These functions arise independently of gene fusions, splice variants, or pleiotropy.
• Existing knowledge on moonlighting proteins is fragmented across numerous publications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a centralized, searchable resource for moonlighting proteins.
• To consolidate experimentally verified data on protein multifunctionality.
• To facilitate research in proteomics, genomics, and protein annotation.

Main Methods:

• Manual curation of scientific literature.
• Development of an internet-based, searchable database (MoonProt Database).
• Inclusion of over 200 experimentally verified moonlighting proteins.

Main Results:

• The MoonProt Database (http://www.moonlightingproteins.org) is now available.
• It contains curated information on more than 200 validated moonlighting proteins.
• The database provides a comprehensive overview of known moonlighting proteins.

Conclusions:

• The MoonProt Database offers an organized view of current knowledge on moonlighting proteins.
• It serves as a valuable tool for gene function determination and protein annotation.
• Understanding moonlighting proteins aids in evolutionary studies and novel protein design.