MOBscan

MOBscan annotates and classifies relaxase proteins into the nine recognized MOB families using HMMER profile Hidden Markov model searches to support studies of plasmid mobility and horizontal gene transfer.

Key Features:

• Automated annotation: Automates annotation of relaxase proteins to standardize classification across differing naming conventions.
• HMMER profile searches: Uses HMMER to search amino acid sequences against a curated database of MOB profile Hidden Markov models.
• Comprehensive classification: Assigns query proteins to any of the nine recognized MOB families.
• Input format: Operates on amino acid sequences provided in FASTA format.

Scientific Applications:

• Horizontal gene transfer: Enables analysis of relaxase-mediated DNA mobilization and mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer.
• Plasmid biology and mobility: Supports plasmid classification and studies of plasmid evolutionary dynamics and mobility.
• Antibiotic resistance research: Facilitates investigation of dissemination of plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance genes.
• Biotechnology applications: Informs applications that leverage plasmid mobilization and relaxase function.
• Microbial ecology and evolution: Aids study of plasmid dynamics within microbial communities and evolutionary processes.

Methodology:

Performs HMMER searches of query amino acid sequences against a curated database of profile Hidden Markov models specific to each MOB family.