DIGIT

DIGIT provides a database of annotated immunoglobulin variable domain sequences together with computational tools for complementarity determining region identification, structural class assignment, mutation detection relative to germline sequences, BLAST-based sequence comparison, and automated three-dimensional model construction to support antibody sequence and structural analysis.

Key Features:

• Annotated sequence archive: Storage of annotated immunoglobulin variable domain sequences.
• Annotation details: Per-sequence annotations include antigen type, corresponding germline sequences, and light–heavy chain pairing information.
• CDR identification: Identification of complementarity determining regions (CDRs) computed on demand for database entries and user-submitted sequences.
• Structural class assignment: Assignment of structural classes for immunoglobulin domains.
• Mutation detection: Detection and reporting of mutations relative to germline sequences.
• Customized BLAST searches: BLAST-based sequence comparison functionality for identification of homologous sequences.
• Automated 3D modeling: Automatic construction of three-dimensional models of immunoglobulin domains.

Scientific Applications:

• Antibody diversity and specificity studies: Comparative and mutation analyses to investigate antibody repertoires and specificity determinants.
• Structural biology: Use of three-dimensional models to analyze spatial configuration and antigen–antibody interactions.
• Evolutionary and homology analysis: BLAST-enabled identification of homologous immunoglobulin sequences and inference of evolutionary relationships.
• Immunology and bioinformatics research: Integration of sequence annotation, mutation analysis, and modeling to support basic immunology and advanced structural studies.

Methodology:

On-demand computation of CDR identification, structural class assignment, mutation detection relative to germline sequences, BLAST-based sequence similarity searches, and automatic three-dimensional model construction for database entries and user-submitted sequences.