Survey of Orphan Enzyme Activities
Author Information
Author(s): Yannick Pouliot, Peter D. Karp
Primary Institution: SRI International
Hypothesis
Are sequences for orphan enzyme activities truly unknown, or can they be found in the literature?
Conclusion
The survey indicates that a significant number of characterized enzyme activities are disconnected from sequence data, suggesting a need for a systematic effort to identify the genes of orphan enzymes.
Supporting Evidence
- 80% of sampled orphan activities lack associated sequence data.
- The survey identified 187 valid orphans out of 228 evaluated.
- Weaknesses in database integration contribute to the orphan enzyme issue.
Takeaway
Many enzymes don't have their genes identified, which is like having a toy without knowing how it works. This study found that most of these 'orphan' enzymes really don't have known sequences.
Methodology
The study involved a literature-based survey of orphan enzyme activities to validate their status and assess the availability of associated gene sequences.
Potential Biases
Potential bias exists in the selection of literature and databases used for validation.
Limitations
The study may not capture all orphan activities due to database limitations and the evolving nature of genomic research.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website