varDB: common ground for a shifting landscape.
Antigenic variation is a phylogenetically widespread phenomenon thought to lead to survival benefits for the pathogen. Although governed by genetic mechanisms, antigenic variation is ultimately manifested in variant proteins. The varDB database is an attempt to gain an overview of common structures and functions of variant proteins related to enhanced survival. varDB provides a wealth of sequence data and several tools to facilitate their analysis, but current limitations preclude achievement of its full promise. A critique of this database and how it could serve the scientific community is provided here.
Allred
David R
DR
Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. allredd@vetmed.ufl.edu
Barbet
Anthony F
AF
Barry
J David
JD
Deitsch
Kirk W
KW
D000818:Animals; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D030562:Databases, Protein; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D011506:Proteins