PIR-International
Protein Sequence Database
Previously
called just PIR, this is the oldest molecular sequence database available
(established 1984). The entries arise from international collaborative efforts
and are organised biologically e.g. by structural, functional or evolutioary
relationships. The entries include amino acid sequences, and in many cases
further annotation including: citations (linked to Medline for abstracts);
nucleotide database references; current genetic information (including map
position and the start codon if not AUG).
PIR is,
in part, a redundant database. Sequences are made public as soon as the
database curators receive them, even before annotation or classification is
verified. Redundancy has it's disadvantages, most notably the repetition of
sequences in different entries may include discrepencies. The redundancy at
PIR can be advantages, as sequences are made public very quickly. The database
is updated weekly.
The
PIR-International protein sequence databse is partitioned into four sections:
PIR1-PIR4. There is no clear cut difference between the entries in PIR1 and
PIR2.
