MIPModDB: a central resource for the superfamily of major intrinsic proteins

Nucleic Acids Res. 2012 Jan;40(Database issue):D362-9. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkr914. Epub 2011 Nov 12.

Abstract

The channel proteins belonging to the major intrinsic proteins (MIP) superfamily are diverse and are found in all forms of life. Water-transporting aquaporin and glycerol-specific aquaglyceroporin are the prototype members of the MIP superfamily. MIPs have also been shown to transport other neutral molecules and gases across the membrane. They have internal homology and possess conserved sequence motifs. By analyzing a large number of publicly available genome sequences, we have identified more than 1000 MIPs from diverse organisms. We have developed a database MIPModDB which will be a unified resource for all MIPs. For each MIP entry, this database contains information about the source, gene structure, sequence features, substitutions in the conserved NPA motifs, structural model, the residues forming the selectivity filter and channel radius profile. For selected set of MIPs, it is possible to derive structure-based sequence alignment and evolutionary relationship. Sequences and structures of selected MIPs can be downloaded from MIPModDB database which is freely available at http://bioinfo.iitk.ac.in/MIPModDB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acids, Aromatic / chemistry
  • Aquaglyceroporins / chemistry
  • Aquaglyceroporins / genetics
  • Aquaporins / chemistry
  • Aquaporins / genetics
  • Arginine / chemistry
  • Databases, Protein*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / classification
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Aromatic
  • Aquaglyceroporins
  • Aquaporins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Arginine