SEVENS: a database for comprehensive GPCR genes obtained from genomes: -Update to 68 eukaryotes.

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are crucial membrane proteins involved in diverse cellular signaling pathways.
• Existing databases lack comprehensive, high-confidence GPCR gene information across multiple eukaryotic genomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop the SEVENS database, a centralized repository for high-confidence GPCR genes from eukaryotic genomes.
• To provide a user-friendly platform for exploring GPCR gene information, including functional and evolutionary data.

Main Methods:

• A bioinformatics pipeline integrating gene finding, sequence alignment, motif/domain assignment, and transmembrane helix prediction was employed.
• The pipeline was applied to survey the complete genomes of 68 eukaryotic species.
• Data compilation included chromosomal position, phylogenetic trees, sequence similarity, and protein function annotations.

Main Results:

• The SEVENS database contains high-confidence GPCR gene data (Levels A, B, C, D) for 68 eukaryotic genomes.
• Detected GPCR gene numbers ranged from 6 to 3,470 per genome.
• Conserved numbers of receptors for amines, peptides, and lipids were observed in mammals, birds, and fishes.
• Odorant and pheromone receptor numbers showed significant diversity in mammals.

Conclusions:

• SEVENS provides a significantly larger and more comprehensive dataset than previous GPCR databases.
• The database enables genome-scale overviews and comparative analyses of GPCR gene repertoires.
• Findings highlight conserved and divergent evolutionary patterns of GPCRs across eukaryotes, particularly in sensory receptors.