PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Sequence Alignment”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,027 records · Page 57Linked to original sources

[Pareto-optimal alignment of biological sequences].

The problem of alignment of two symbol sequences is considered. The validity of the available algorithms for constructing optimal alignment depends on the weighting coefficients which are frequently difficult to choose. A new approach to the problem is proposed, which is based on the use of vector weighting functions (instead of tradionally used scalar ones) and Pareto-optimal alignment (an alignment that is optimal at any choice of weighting coefficient will always be Pareto-optimal). An efficient algorithm for constructing all Pareto-optimal alignments of two sequences is proposed. An approach to choosing a "biologically correct" alignment among all Pareto-optimal alignments is suggested.

Algorithms↗

Evolution of duplications in the transferrin family of proteins.

The transferrin family is a group of proteins, defined by conserved amino acid motifs and putative function, found in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Included in this group are molecules known to bind iron, including serum transferrin, ovotransferrin, lactotransferrin, and melanotransferrin (MTF). Additional members of this family include inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase (ICA; mammals), major yolk protein (sea urchins), saxiphilin (frog), pacifastin (crayfish), and TTF-1 (algae). Most family members contain two lobes (N and C) of around 340 amino acids, the result of an ancient duplication event. In this article, we review the known functions of these proteins and speculate as to when the different homologs arose. From multiple-sequence alignments and neighbor-joining trees using 71 transferrin family sequences from 51 different species, including several novel sequences found in the Takifugu and Ciona genome databases, we conclude that melanotransferrins are much older (>670 MY) and more pervasive than previously thought, and the serum transferrin/melanotransferrin split may have occurred not long after lobe duplication. All subsequent duplication events diverged from the serum transferrin gene. The creation of such a large multiple-sequence alignment provides important information and could, in the future, highlight the role of specific residues in protein function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The nucleoside-specific Tsx channel from the outer membrane of Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter aerogenes: functional characterization and DNA sequence analysis of the tsx genes.

The Escherichia coli tsx gene encodes an integral outer-membrane protein (Tsx) that functions as a substrate-specific channel for deoxynucleosides and the antibiotic albicidin, and also serves as a receptor for bacteriophages and colicins. We cloned the structural genes of the Tsx proteins from Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter aerogenes and expressed them in an E.coli tsx mutant. The heterologous Tsx proteins fully substituted the E.coli Tsx protein with respect to its function in deoxynucleoside and albicidin uptake, and as receptor for colicin K. The Tsx proteins from K. pneumoniae and Ent. aerogenes were also proficient as receptors for several Tsx-specific bacteriophages, whereas the corresponding protein from S. typhimurium did not confer sensitivity against these phages. The nucleotide sequence of the tsx genes from S. typhimurium, K. pneumoniae and Ent. aerogenes was established. Each of the Tsx proteins is initially synthesized with typical bacterial signal sequence peptides and the predicted mature forms of the Tsx proteins have a calculated M(r) of 30,567 (265 residues), 31,412 (272 residues) and 31,477 (272 residues), respectively. Multiple sequence alignments between the Tsx proteins showed a high degree of sequence identity and revealed the presence of four hypervariable regions, which are thought to constitute segments of the polypeptide chain exposed at the cell surface. Most notable was a deletion of 8 amino acids in one of these hypervariable domains in the S. typhimurium Tsx protein. When this deletion was introduced by site-directed mutagenesis into the corresponding region of the E.coli tsx gene, the mutant Tsx-515 protein lost its phage receptor function but still served as a colicin K receptor and as a substrate-specific channel, indicating that the region between residues 198 and 207 might be part of the bacteriophage receptor area. Multiple sequence alignments, structural predictions and the properties of previously characterized Tsx missense mutants were taken into account to develop a two-dimensional model for the topological organization of the Tsx protein within the outer membrane.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

WAViS server for handling, visualization and presentation of multiple alignments of nucleotide or amino acids sequences.

Web Alignment Visualization Server contains a set of web-tools designed for quick generation of publication-quality color figures of multiple alignments of nucleotide or amino acids sequences. It can be used for identification of conserved regions and gaps within many sequences using only common web browsers. The server is accessible at http://wavis.img.cas.cz.

Computer Graphics↗

A local alignment metric for accelerating biosequence database search.

We introduce a metric for local sequence alignments that has utility for accelerating optimal alignment searches without loss of sensitivity. The metric's triangle inequality property permits identification of redundant database entries guaranteed to have optimal alignments to the query sequence that fall below a specified score threshold, thereby permitting comparisons to these entries to be skipped. We prove the existence of the metric for a variety of scoring systems, including the most commonly used ones, and show that a triangle inequality can be established as well for nucleotide-to-protein sequence comparisons. We discuss a database clustering and search strategy that takes advantage of the triangle inequality. The strategy permits moderate but significant acceleration of searches against the widely used "nr" protein database. It also provides a theoretically based method for database clustering in general and provides a standard against which to compare heuristic clustering strategies.

Algorithms↗

STACK: Sequence Tag Alignment and Consensus Knowledgebase.

STACK is a tool for detection and visualisation of expressed transcript variation in the context of developmental and pathological states. The datasystem organizes and reconstructs human transcripts from available public data in the context of expression state. The expression state of a transcript can include developmental state, pathological association, site of expression and isoform of expressed transcript. STACK consensus transcripts are reconstructed from clusters that capture and reflect the growing evidence of transcript diversity. The comprehensive capture of transcript variants is achieved by the use of a novel clustering approach that is tolerant of sub-sequence diversity and does not rely on pairwise alignment. This is in contrast with other gene indexing projects. STACK is generated at least four times a year and represents the exhaustive processing of all publicly available human EST data extracted from GenBank. This processed information can be explored through 15 tissue-specific categories, a disease-related category and a whole-body index and is accessible via WWW at http://www.sanbi.ac.za/Dbases.html. STACK represents a broadly applicable resource, as it is the only reconstructed transcript database for which the tools for its generation are also broadly available (http://www.sanbi.ac.za/CODES).

Base Sequence↗

Phylogenetic relationships of bluetongue viruses based on gene S7.

Previous phylogenetic analyses based on bluetongue virus (BTV) gene segment L3, which encodes the inner core protein, VP3, indicated a geographical distribution of different genotypes. The inner core protein, VP7, of BTV has been identified as a viral attachment protein for insect cell infection. Because the inner core proteins are involved with infectivity of insect cells, we hypothesized that certain VP7 protein sequences are preferred by the insect vector species present in specific geographic locations. We compared the gene segment S7, which encodes VP7, from 39 strains of BTV isolated from Central America, the Caribbean Basin, the United States, South Africa and Australia. For comparison, the S7 sequences from strains of the related orbiviruses, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) were included. The S7 gene was highly conserved among BTV strains and fairly conserved among the other orbiviruses examined. VP7 sequence alignment suggests that the BTV receptor-binding site in the insect is also conserved. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the BTV S7 nucleotide sequences do not unequivocally display geographic distribution. The BTV strains can be separated into five clades based on the deduced VP7 amino acid sequence alignment and phylogeny but evidence for preferential selection by available gnat species for a particular VP7 clade is inconclusive. Differences between clades indicate allowable variation of the VP7 binding protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PANTHER: a browsable database of gene products organized by biological function, using curated protein family and subfamily classification.

The PANTHER database was designed for high-throughput analysis of protein sequences. One of the key features is a simplified ontology of protein function, which allows browsing of the database by biological functions. Biologist curators have associated the ontology terms with groups of protein sequences rather than individual sequences. Statistical models (Hidden Markov Models, or HMMs) are built from each of these groups. The advantage of this approach is that new sequences can be automatically classified as they become available. To ensure accurate functional classification, HMMs are constructed not only for families, but also for functionally distinct subfamilies. Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees, including curator-assigned information, are available for each family. The current version of the PANTHER database includes training sequences from all organisms in the GenBank non-redundant protein database, and the HMMs have been used to classify gene products across the entire genomes of human, and Drosophila melanogaster. The ontology terms and protein families and subfamilies, as well as Drosophila gene c;assifications, can be browsed and searched for free. Due to outstanding contractual obligations, access to human gene classifications and to protein family trees and multiple sequence alignments will temporarily require a nominal registration fee. PANTHER is publicly available on the web at http://panther.celera.com.

Animals↗

The PIR-International Protein Sequence Database.

The Protein Information Resource (PIR; http://www-nbrf.georgetown. edu/pir/) supports research on molecular evolution, functional genomics, and computational biology by maintaining a comprehensive, non-redundant, well-organized and freely available protein sequence database. Since 1988 the database has been maintained collaboratively by PIR-International, an international association of data collection centers cooperating to develop this resource during a period of explosive growth in new sequence data and new computer technologies. The PIR Protein Sequence Database entries are classified into superfamilies, families and homology domains, for which sequence alignments are available. Full-scale family classification supports comparative genomics research, aids sequence annotation, assists database organization and improves database integrity. The PIR WWW server supports direct on-line sequence similarity searches, information retrieval, and knowledge discovery by providing the Protein Sequence Database and other supplementary databases. Sequence entries are extensively cross-referenced and hypertext-linked to major nucleic acid, literature, genome, structure, sequence alignment and family databases. The weekly release of the Protein Sequence Database can be accessed through the PIR Web site. The quarterly release of the database is freely available from our anonymous FTP server and is also available on CD-ROM with the accompanying ATLAS database search program.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Practical evaluation of comparative modelling and threading methods.

Six protein pairs, all with known 3D-structures, were used to evaluate different protein structure prediction tools. Firstly, alignments between a target sequence and a template sequence or structure were obtained by sequence alignment with QUANTA or by threading with THREADER, 123D and PHD Topits. Secondly, protein structure models were generated using MODELLER. The two protein structure assessment tools used were the root mean square deviation (RMSD) compared with the experimental target structure and the total 3D profile score. Also the accuracy of the active sites of models built in the absence and presence of ligands was investigated. Our study confirms that threading methods are able to yield more accurate models than comparative modelling in cases of low sequence identity (< 30%). However, a gap of 2 A (RMSD) exists between the theoretically best model and the models obtained by threading methods. For high sequence identities (> 30%) comparative modelling using MODELLER resulted in accurate models. Furthermore, the total 3D profile score was not always able to distinguish correct from incorrect folds when different alignment methods were used. Finally, we found it to be important to include possible ligands in the model-building process in order to prevent unrealistic filling of active site areas.

Algorithms↗

Modular arrangement of proteins as inferred from analysis of homology.

The structure of many proteins consists of a combination of discrete modules that have been shuffled during evolution. Such modules can frequently be recognized from the analysis of homology. Here we present a systematic analysis of the modular organization of all sequenced proteins. To achieve this we have developed an automatic method to identify protein domains from sequence comparisons. Homologous domains can then be clustered into consistent families. The method was applied to all 21,098 nonfragment protein sequences in SWISS-PROT 21.0, which was automatically reorganized into a comprehensive protein domain database, ProDom. We have constructed multiple sequence alignments for each domain family in ProDom, from which consensus sequences were generated. These nonreduntant domain consensuses are useful for fast homology searches. Domain organization in ProDom is exemplified for proteins of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PEP:PTS) and for bacterial 2-component regulators. We provide 2 examples of previously unrecognized domain arrangements discovered with the help of ProDom.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phylogenetic relationships reveal recombination among isolates of cauliflower mosaic virus.

Isolates of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) differ in host range and symptomatology. Knowledge of their sequence relationships should assist in identifying nucleotide sequences responsible for isolate-specific characters. Complete nucleotide sequences of the DNAs of eight isolates of CaMV were aligned and the aligned sequences were used to analyze phylogenetic relationships by maximum likelihood, bootstrapped parsimony, and distance methods. Isolates found in North America clustered separately from those isolated from other parts of the world. Additional isolates, for which partial sequences were available, were incorporated into phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of genome segments corresponding to individual protein coding regions or the large intergenic region of CaMV DNA. The analysis revealed several instances where the position of an isolate on a tree for one coding region did not agree with the position of the isolate on the tree for the complete genome or with its position on trees for other coding regions. Examination of the distribution of shared residue types of phylogenetically informative positions in anomalous regions suggested that most of the anomalies were due to recombination events during the evolution of the isolates. Application of an algorithm that searches for segments of significant length that are identical between pairs of isolates or contain a significantly high concentration of polymorphisms suggested two additional recombination events between progenitors of the isolates studied and an event between the XinJing isolate and a CaMV not represented in the data set. An earlier phylogenetic origin for CaMV than for carnation etched ring virus, the caulimovirus used as outgroup in these analyses, was deduced from the position of the outgroup with North American isolates in some trees, but with non-North American isolates in other trees.

Base Sequence↗

Comparison of two b1 alleles from within the A mating-type of the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus.

We cloned and sequenced the b1 specificity gene, b1-2, from the A43 mating-type locus of the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus, to compare its molecular structure to a previously published allele. The b1-2 gene was identified and isolated using a transformation assay for A-activity. The nucleotide (nt) sequence was determined and compared to the published sequence for the b1 specificity gene of the A42 mating-type locus. Both genes map to the same physical location within the A mating-type locus and conserved structural organization is observed at both the genomic and the protein level. Sequence alignments show that the two alleles share 73% overall nt sequence identity for the open reading frames (ORFs) and 68% overall amino acid (aa) sequence identity for the deduced polypeptides. Allowing for conservative substitutions, the overall aa sequence similarity is 79%. Comparison of the deduced aa sequences reveals several conserved structural motifs, including a DNA-binding homeodomain, putative bipartite nuclear localization signal sequences, and four predicted dimerization motifs. Regions rich in Pro and hydroxylated aa (Ser and Thr) are also common to both alleles. Sequence similarity varies greatly along the length of the gene at both the nt and aa levels. In general, similarity increases progressively from the N- to the C-terminal end with variable patterns of similarity observed for individual exons and the predicted motifs they encode. The low sequence similarity observed in the N terminus suggests that variability in this region may be involved in non-self recognition. Differing levels of positional and compositional constraint are apparent for different functional domains.

Alleles↗

Detection and typing of herpes simplex DNA in genital swabs by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The LightCycler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive assay for the detection of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in muco-cutaneous swabs. Software-based analysis of the probe melting temperature (Tm) can be used to discriminate between HSV types (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Among 76 HSV DNA positive genital swabs, atypical Tms were observed in 14 (18%). The 14 samples were all typed as HSV-2 by sequence alignment. In 4/14 samples, the atypical Tm was associated with sequence variation at the probe-binding site. Among 10 samples with conserved sequences, Tms were influenced by the specimen preparation method prior to PCR. These findings indicate that multiple factors including, but not limited to sequence variation complicate melting curve analysis following real-time PCR. Alternative typing methods are recommended for specimens with atypical melting curves.

Base Sequence↗

GARD: a genetic algorithm for recombination detection.

MOTIVATION: Phylogenetic and evolutionary inference can be severely misled if recombination is not accounted for, hence screening for it should be an essential component of nearly every comparative study. The evolution of recombinant sequences can not be properly explained by a single phylogenetic tree, but several phylogenies may be used to correctly model the evolution of non-recombinant fragments. RESULTS: We developed a likelihood-based model selection procedure that uses a genetic algorithm to search multiple sequence alignments for evidence of recombination breakpoints and identify putative recombinant sequences. GARD is an extensible and intuitive method that can be run efficiently in parallel. Extensive simulation studies show that the method nearly always outperforms other available tools, both in terms of power and accuracy and that the use of GARD to screen sequences for recombination ensures good statistical properties for methods aimed at detecting positive selection. AVAILABILITY: Freely available http://www.datamonkey.org/GARD/

Algorithms↗

Genomic sequence analysis of Fugu rubripes CFTR and flanking genes in a 60 kb region conserving synteny with 800 kb of human chromosome 7.

To define control elements that regulate tissue-specific expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), we have sequenced 60 kb of genomic DNA from the puffer fish Fugu rubripes (Fugu) that includes the CFTR gene. This region of the Fugu genome shows conservation of synteny with 800-kb sequence of the human genome encompassing the WNT2, CFTR, Z43555, and CBP90 genes. Additionally, the genomic structure of each gene is conserved. In a multiple sequence alignment of human, mouse, and Fugu, the putative WNT2 promoter sequence is shown to contain highly conserved elements that may be transcription factor or other regulatory binding sites. We have found two putative ankyrin repeat-containing genes that flank the CFTR gene. Overall sequence analysis suggests conservation of intron/exon boundaries between Fugu and human CFTR and revealed extensive homology between functional protein domains. However, the immediate 5' regions of human and Fugu CFTR are highly divergent with few conserved sequences apart from those resembling diminished cAMP response elements (CRE) and CAAT box elements. Interestingly, the polymorphic polyT tract located upstream of exon 9 is present in human and Fugu but absent in mouse. Similarly, an intron 1 and intron 9 element common to human and Fugu is absent in mouse. The euryhaline killifish CFTR coding sequence is highly homologous to the Fugu sequence, suggesting that upregulation of CFTR in that species in response to salinity may be regulated transcriptionally.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dissimilatory nitrite reductase genes from autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.

The presence of a copper-containing dissimilatory nitrite reductase gene (nirK) was discovered in several isolates of beta-subdivision ammonia-oxidizing bacteria using PCR and DNA sequencing. PCR primers Cunir3 and Cunir4 were designed based on published nirK sequences from denitrifying bacteria and used to amplify a 540-bp fragment of the nirK gene from Nitrosomonas marina and five additional isolates of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Amplification products of the expected size were cloned and sequenced. Alignment of the nucleic acid and deduced amino acid (AA) sequences shows significant similarity (62 to 75% DNA, 58 to 76% AA) between nitrite reductases present in these nitrifiers and the copper-containing nitrite reductase found in classic heterotrophic denitrifiers. While the presence of a nitrite reductase in Nitrosomonas europaea is known from early biochemical work, preliminary sequence data from its genome indicate a rather low similarity to the denitrifier nirKs. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial nitrifier nirK sequences indicates that the topology of the nirK tree corresponds to the 16S rRNA and amoA trees. While the role of nitrite reduction in the metabolism of nitrifying bacteria is still uncertain, these data show that the nirK gene is present in closely related nitrifying isolates from many oceanographic regions and suggest that nirK sequences retrieved from the environment may include sequences from ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pegasys: software for executing and integrating analyses of biological sequences.

BACKGROUND: We present Pegasys--a flexible, modular and customizable software system that facilitates the execution and data integration from heterogeneous biological sequence analysis tools. RESULTS: The Pegasys system includes numerous tools for pair-wise and multiple sequence alignment, ab initio gene prediction, RNA gene detection, masking repetitive sequences in genomic DNA as well as filters for database formatting and processing raw output from various analysis tools. We introduce a novel data structure for creating workflows of sequence analyses and a unified data model to store its results. The software allows users to dynamically create analysis workflows at run-time by manipulating a graphical user interface. All non-serial dependent analyses are executed in parallel on a compute cluster for efficiency of data generation. The uniform data model and backend relational database management system of Pegasys allow for results of heterogeneous programs included in the workflow to be integrated and exported into General Feature Format for further analyses in GFF-dependent tools, or GAME XML for import into the Apollo genome editor. The modularity of the design allows for new tools to be added to the system with little programmer overhead. The database application programming interface allows programmatic access to the data stored in the backend through SQL queries. CONCLUSIONS: The Pegasys system enables biologists and bioinformaticians to create and manage sequence analysis workflows. The software is released under the Open Source GNU General Public License. All source code and documentation is available for download at http://bioinformatics.ubc.ca/pegasys/.

Computational Biology↗