Epitome: database of structure-inferred antigenic epitopes

Nucleic Acids Res. 2006 Jan 1;34(Database issue):D777-80. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkj053.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin molecules specifically recognize particular areas on the surface of proteins. These areas are commonly dubbed B-cell epitopes. The identification of epitopes in proteins is important both for the design of experiments and vaccines. Additionally, the interactions between epitopes and antibodies have often served as a model for protein-protein interactions. One of the main obstacles in creating a database of antigen-antibody interactions is the difficulty in distinguishing between antigenic and non-antigenic interactions. Antigenic interactions involve specific recognition sites on the antibody's surface, while non-antigenic interactions are between a protein and any other site on the antibody. To solve this problem, we performed a comparative analysis of all protein-antibody complexes for which structures have been experimentally determined. Additionally, we developed a semi-automated tool that identified the antigenic interactions within the known antigen-antibody complex structures. We compiled those interactions into Epitome, a database of structure-inferred antigenic residues in proteins. Epitome consists of all known antigen/antibody complex structures, a detailed description of the residues that are involved in the interactions, and their sequence/structure environments. Interactions can be visualized using an interface to Jmol. The database is available at http://www.rostlab.org/services/epitome/.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites, Antibody
  • Complementarity Determining Regions / chemistry*
  • Complementarity Determining Regions / immunology
  • Databases, Protein*
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / chemistry*
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Internet
  • Models, Molecular
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / immunology*
  • User-Computer Interface

Substances

  • Complementarity Determining Regions
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Proteins