GenBankGenPept

GenBankGenPept is a data format used for storing and exchanging genetic sequence information, specifically protein sequences. It is part of the larger GenBank database, a comprehensive collection of publicly available nucleic acid sequences and their annotations maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The GenPept format is designed to represent protein sequences derived from translated coding regions of DNA or RNA sequences.

A GenPept record contains essential information about a protein, including its accession number, definition, description, organism of origin, and importantly, the amino acid sequence itself. It also includes detailed annotation, which describes features within the protein sequence such as functional domains, post-translational modifications, and similarity to other known proteins. This annotation is crucial for understanding the protein's structure, function, and evolutionary relationships.

The GenPept format facilitates the integration and comparison of protein data from diverse sources. Researchers use GenPept entries to identify novel proteins, study protein families, and perform comparative genomics. The standardized nature of the format ensures that data can be easily processed by automated tools and shared among the scientific community. GenPept entries are continuously updated and expanded as new sequences are discovered and characterized, making it a dynamic and vital resource for molecular biology and bioinformatics.