Q.14 Which one of the following is a database of protein sequence motifs?
(A) PROSITE (B) TrEMBL (C) SWISSPROT (D) PDB
PROSITE is the database of protein sequence motifs. Among the options, it specifically catalogs patterns and profiles for motifs like functional sites and domains.
Option Analysis
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(A) PROSITE: This database documents protein families, domains, and functional sites using patterns (regular expressions) and profiles derived from sequence alignments. It identifies motifs in proteins, aiding functional annotation and classification, even for distantly related sequences.
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(B) TrEMBL: TrEMBL is a computer-annotated supplement to UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot, containing protein sequences translated from EMBL/GenBank without full curation. It focuses on raw sequences, not motifs.
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(C) SWISSPROT (now UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot): This is a high-quality, manually curated database of protein sequences with detailed annotations like function and structure. It links to motif databases like PROSITE but does not store motifs itself.
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(D) PDB: The Protein Data Bank holds 3D structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and complexes, emphasizing atomic coordinates for structural biology. It deals with structural motifs, not sequence motifs.
The protein sequence motifs database PROSITE stands out as the go-to resource for identifying conserved patterns in amino acid sequences that signal protein function, domains, or families. Ideal for competitive exams like IIT JAM Biotechnology, understanding PROSITE helps differentiate it from sequence archives like TrEMBL or structural repositories like PDB.
Why PROSITE Excels as Protein Sequence Motifs Database
PROSITE uses patterns and profiles to detect motifs, enabling annotation of uncharacterized proteins. For instance, a motif like PS00107 describes protein kinase active sites via regular expressions.
This makes it essential for bioinformatics workflows, outperforming general databases in motif-specific searches.
Comparing Key Databases
| Database | Focus | Key Features | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROSITE | Protein sequence motifs | Patterns/profiles for domains/sites | Motif identification questions |
| TrEMBL | Uncurated protein sequences | Automated translations from nucleotide DBs | Volume over quality |
| SWISSPROT | Curated protein sequences | Manual annotations, cross-references | General sequence queries |
| PDB | 3D protein structures | Atomic coordinates, visualizations | Structural biology |
Exam Prep Tips
Master protein sequence motifs by practicing PROSITE scans on Expasy tools. Questions often test distinctions, as in this MCQ where PROSITE is the sole motif specialist. Focus on real-world applications like kinase motif detection for deeper understanding.
