A 'handy' site for calcium-binding proteins

Abstract

This is a great site for calcium-binding protein enthusiasts.

Content

This is a great site for calcium-binding protein enthusiasts. Each protein has its own page which contains general information and a reference list with a search option. Sequence information from each protein includes descriptions of the loop structures, and the picture gallery has great images of protein conformations and substrate binding. Three-dimensional structural information on each protein family is given through links to protein databank files that can be downloaded by FTP, and there are a couple of tools in the site that allow you to compare structural aspects of different proteins (one of these is restricted to internal access).

Navigation

An excellent design makes navigation through this site very easy. Each page has the option of returning to the home page or to the first page of each of the four subsections.

Reporter's comments

Timeliness

No indication of when the site was last updated could be found.

Best feature

The picture gallery gives good images of a number of proteins showing conserved residues and conformations of proteins when substrate is bound.

Worst feature

Some information is missing from each individual protein page, but it is not clear whether this information is not available or simply has not been entered

Wish list

It might benefit some researchers to be able to use the second tool listed in the analytical tools page, which is currently of restricted access.

Table of links

EF-hand calcium-binding protein data library