Virus Database (VIDA)

Virus Database (VIDA) organizes and analyzes open reading frames (ORFs) from complete and partial genomic sequences of animal viruses, focusing on Herpesviridae, Coronaviridae, and Arteriviridae, to support comparative, evolutionary, and functional studies.

Key Features:

• Organization into Homologous Protein Families: ORFs are grouped into homologous protein families based on sequence similarity relationships.
• Identification of Conserved Sequence Regions: Conserved regions are identified and provided as detailed sequence alignments for analysis of evolutionary conservation and potential function.
• Controlled Taxonomical and Functional Classification: A structured classification system assigns taxonomical and functional categories to proteins and protein families.
• Inclusion of Protein Structures: Related protein structures are integrated into the dataset when available to link sequence families with three-dimensional information.

Scientific Applications:

• Comparative and Evolutionary Analysis: Enables cross-species comparisons and evolutionary studies of viral proteins across Herpesviridae, Coronaviridae, and Arteriviridae.
• Functional Genomics and Annotation: Supports functional annotation of viral ORFs through family classification and conserved-region analysis.
• Antiviral and Vaccine Target Exploration: Facilitates identification of conserved sequence regions that can be investigated as potential targets for antiviral therapies and vaccine design.

Methodology:

Database construction uses sequences from GenBank for animal viruses (Herpesviridae, Coronaviridae, Arteriviridae); sequence similarity relationships are used to identify homologous protein families; detailed sequence alignments are produced to detect conserved regions; controlled taxonomical and functional classification is applied; related protein structures are integrated when available.