Derived Protein Structure Database Example
A derived protein structure database organizes and classifies known protein structures based on analysis and comparison. The question asks to identify an example of such a database from the given options.
Analyzing Database Options
- Pfam: This database catalogs protein families using sequence alignments and profile Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). It focuses on sequence patterns and domains, not primarily on classifying existing 3D structures.
- SCOP (Structural Classification of Proteins): This database provides a detailed and comprehensive description of the structural and evolutionary relationships between all proteins whose structure is known. It classifies proteins into categories (classes, folds, superfamilies, families) based on structural similarity. This makes it a prime example of a derived protein structure database.
- GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus): This is a public functional genomics data repository, primarily storing gene expression data, not protein structures.
- Prosite: Similar to Pfam, Prosite is a database of protein families and domains, characterized by patterns and profiles. It focuses on sequence information rather than structural classification.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, SCOP is the database specifically designed for classifying and deriving relationships between known protein structures. Therefore, it is the correct example of a derived protein structure database among the choices.