The Autophagy Database

The Autophagy Database compiles and organizes information on autophagy-related proteins and their homologs across 41 eukaryotic species to support research into autophagy mechanisms.

Key Features:

• Literature Integration: Integrates curated, up-to-date information from relevant scientific literature on autophagy-related proteins.
• Protein Data Repository: Contains a comprehensive list of proteins associated with autophagy and their homologs identified across 41 eukaryotic species.
• Search Functionality: Supports searches by keyword or sequence and returns functional and structural details for proteins.
• Homolog Identification: Identifies potential functional homologs of proteins whose functions have been established in other species.
• PI3P-Binding Protein Analysis: Includes an original analysis identifying probable PI3P (phosphatidyl inositol 3-phosphate)-binding proteins.

Scientific Applications:

• Mechanistic Studies: Elucidating molecular pathways of autophagy, including roles in survival under starvation and removal of deleterious substances.
• Comparative and Evolutionary Analysis: Enabling cross-species comparisons and studies of evolutionary conservation via homolog identification across 41 eukaryotes.
• Functional Annotation and Hypothesis Generation: Supporting assignment of putative functions to uncharacterized proteins and generation of cross-species functional hypotheses, including via the PI3P-binding protein list.

Methodology:

Collected identified autophagy-related proteins from 41 eukaryotic species and identified homologs across those species; conducted an original analysis to identify probable PI3P (phosphatidyl inositol 3-phosphate)-binding proteins.