title: BtoxDB: a comprehensive database of protein structural data on toxin-antitoxin systems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are diverse and abundant genetic modules in prokaryotic cells that are typically formed by two genes encoding a stable toxin and a labile antitoxin. Because TA systems are able to repress growth or kill cells and are considered to be important actors in cell persistence (multidrug resistance without genetic change), these modules are considered potential targets for alternative drug design. In this scenario, structural information for the proteins in these systems is highly valuable. In this report, we describe the development of a web-based system, named BtoxDB, that stores all protein structural data on TA systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  The BtoxDB database was implemented as a MySQL relational database using PHP scripting language. Web interfaces were developed using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The data were collected from the PDB, UniProt and Entrez databases. These data were appropriately filtered using specialized literature and our previous knowledge about toxin-antitoxin systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The database provides three modules ("Search", "Browse" and "Statistics") that enable searches, acquisition of contents and access to statistical data. Direct links to matching external databases are also available.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The compilation of all protein structural data on TA systems in one platform is highly useful for researchers interested in this content. BtoxDB is publicly available at http://www.gurupi.uft.edu.br/btoxdb.
authors: UFT - Federal University of Tocantins, Department of Biotechnology, Caixa Postal 66, Gurupi 77402-970, Tocantins, Brazil. Electronic address: luiz_cbb@hotmail.com.
authors: Luiz Carlos Bertucci
authors: LC
authors: Barbosa
authors: UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Institute of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Technological Chemistry, Araraquara 14800-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Saulo Santesso
authors: SS
authors: Garrido
authors: UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Institute of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Technological Chemistry, Araraquara 14800-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Reinaldo
authors: R
authors: Marchetto
mesh_terms: D000992:Antitoxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003628:Database Management Systems; D030562:Databases, Protein; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D000992:Antitoxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins
keywords: Alternative antimicrobials; Drug targets; Persistence; Structural database; Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems