KEGG

Definition

KEGG, or Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, is a comprehensive database that provides information on biological systems, including metabolic pathways, diseases, and drug development. It integrates genomic, chemical, and systemic functional information, making it an essential resource for researchers studying molecular biology and computational biology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. KEGG includes several databases, such as KEGG PATHWAY for metabolic pathways, KEGG GENES for gene annotation, and KEGG DRUG for drug development information.
2. The database allows users to visualize complex biological networks, helping to identify key pathways that may be involved in specific diseases.
3. KEGG is widely used for functional annotation of genes and proteins by linking them to known pathways and biological processes.
4. Researchers often utilize KEGG for comparative genomics studies, where they analyze the presence or absence of metabolic pathways across different species.
5. KEGG data can be accessed through various advanced search tools that facilitate efficient retrieval of relevant information based on user-defined queries.

Review Questions

• How does KEGG facilitate advanced search techniques for researchers studying metabolic pathways?
  • KEGG offers various advanced search tools that allow researchers to filter and retrieve information about specific metabolic pathways based on gene names, protein functions, or disease associations. This capability enables users to quickly locate relevant pathways and visualize complex interactions. Additionally, researchers can explore the connections between genes and their roles in various biochemical processes, making it easier to design experiments and interpret results.
• Discuss the role of KEGG in the functional annotation of genes and proteins within the context of molecular biology research.
  • KEGG plays a crucial role in functional annotation by linking genes and proteins to specific biological pathways. This allows researchers to understand the roles of individual genes within larger metabolic or signaling networks. By annotating genes with pathway information, scientists can hypothesize about gene functions, identify potential targets for drug development, and explore relationships between genetic variations and diseases.
• Evaluate the significance of KEGG in analyzing RNA-Seq data for differential expression studies.
  • KEGG is significant in RNA-Seq data analysis as it provides context for interpreting differential expression results. By mapping differentially expressed genes to KEGG pathways, researchers can gain insights into the biological processes affected by these changes. This evaluation helps in identifying critical pathways involved in diseases or conditions under study, facilitating a deeper understanding of underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, it allows scientists to prioritize targets for further investigation or therapeutic intervention based on pathway involvement.

Related terms

Pathway Database: A collection of biological pathways that describes the interactions and reactions among genes, proteins, and metabolites within a given biological system.

Gene Ontology:

A standardized vocabulary that describes gene functions across different organisms, enabling consistent annotation of genes and gene products.

Biological Network: A representation of biological interactions among various biological entities such as genes, proteins, and metabolites, often visualized as graphs or networks.