SMPDB

Small Molecule Pathway Database (SMPDB) is a publicly available resource of curated, visually annotated metabolic pathways focused on small molecules. It supports interpretation of metabolomics data, pathway analysis, and systems biology studies by providing pathway diagrams and accompanying information. The database emphasizes human metabolism and disease-related pathways, while also including select pathways from other organisms.

Content and structure: Each pathway entry includes a diagram of metabolites and enzymes, with reactions and transport steps, along with metadata such as chemical identities, synonyms, localization, and literature references. Pathways are organized by biological process and disease categories. Entries link to external resources (PubMed, KEGG, HMDB) and offer downloadable data files.

Location and use: SMPDB is maintained by researchers at the University of Alberta (Wishart lab) and is accessible via its website. It is designed for both newcomers and experts, with search by metabolite, enzyme, or pathway name, and printable or interactive diagrams. It supports mapping experimental results to pathways and clinical interpretations.

Impact and scope: SMPDB complements larger pathway resources by providing richly annotated, compact diagrams for small-molecule metabolism. It emphasizes curation and user-friendly visualization to aid interpretation of metabolic networks and disease mechanisms.