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1. Introduction to UniRule format

UniRule is a format describing conditional annotation templates (rules) used by UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot automated annotation projects. It defines annotation which will be generated for (selected) predicted features.

Structure

Each UniRule entry consists of the following parts.


Application

Protein rules

Used to annotate protein family : HAMAP rules.

Domain/Site rules

Used to annotate protein domain or site : ProRules.


Explanation of terms

motif

Any sequence feature predictor or discriminator, such as a pattern, profile or profile-HMM.

taxcode

A mnemonic code of at most 5 alphanumeric characters specific for a taxonomic species used in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot.


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2. Header section

The Header section contains technical information about the UniRules.


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2.1 AC line

Each UniRule starts with one or more AC (ACcession number) lines. The format of the accession number is for intance ‘PRU’ followed by 5 digits for ProRules and ‘MF_’ followed by 5 digits for HAMAP rules.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
AC   primary accession number;[ secondary accession numbers;]

Examples:

 
AC   PRU00001;

AC   PRU00002; PRU99998; PRU99999;

AC   MF_00022;


Note: The UniRule file name in the CVS directory corresponds to the primary accession number of a UniRule.


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2.2 DC line

The DC (Data Class) line specifies which type of data the rule annotates.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
DC   data_class;[ auto]

Examples:

 
DC   Protein; auto

DC   Domain;

DC   Site;


The data_class is either of the following values:

Protein

Refers to a rule that enables complete annotation of a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry.

Topo_domain

The rule applies to a domain of topological meaning, like an extracellular region. A ‘Topo_domain’ may contain any ‘Domain’ within its range.

Domain

Refers to a rule that enables domain annotation of a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry.

Domains are generally not allowed to overlap. However in rare cases it is possible that a domain is located within another domain; e.g. EH domain and EF-hand. In that situation, the annotation of the smaller domain must be triggered in the rule for the longer domain.

Site

Refers to a rule that enables site annotation of a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry. One or more sites may be located within a domain. If a site within a domain is conserved, it is usually triggered in the domain rule (See section DR line).


A Protein rule has precedence over a Domain/Site rule.
The optional trailing term ‘auto’ indicates that a UniRule can be applied to automated annotation. If absent, it means that the UniRule should be used only for the support of manual annotation, which is the case when a method has a significant number of false positives or the output needs further manual completion.


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2.3 TR line

The TR (Trigger) line describes which (selected) sequence analysis features trigger the application of the curent UniRule. Each UniRule may contain one or more TR lines. Each feature name should appear only once in the TR line in the whole UniRule database, as one type of feature is expected to trigger only one rule.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: mandatory


There are 2 types of TR lines:


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2.3.1 TR motif line


Format:

 
TR   dbname; identifier1; identifier2; nbhits; level=level

Examples:

 
TR   PROSITE; PS50075; ACP_DOMAIN; 0-1; level=0

TR   HAMAP; MF_00401; -; 1; level=0

TR   General; Transmembrane; -; 1; level=0

TR   IPRO; IPR009003; -; 1; level=0


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2.3.2 TR Metamotif line


Format:

 
TR   Metamotif; mmsearch-options; metamotif

Examples:

 
TR   Metamotif; -; Signal>=GPI_anchor


Technical note: Now metamotifs are detected (through mmsearch) by anabelle psat; they are just ’classical’ gff psat features. Therefore metamotifs detection is not tied anymore to the rule evaluation step. The metamotif TR should not be included in a condition to test if its required features are present, this is now useless/obsolete (as the metamotif was detected by psat, it implies that its features were present).

The metamotif field should correspond to the name of a detectable metamotif feature. The metamotif feature name is at the same time the metamotif description. It describes the arrangements of sub-features (by their name) in a sequence. The ’available’ metamotifs are listed in $ANABELLE/data/metamotifs.dat This file is used by mmsearch, and is created at release (anabelle_update.sh) by extracting TR metamotif lines from CVSed UniRules.

The field mmsearch-options used to control the behavior of the metamotif search automaton (during ’picohamap’ times?). It is now obsolete, just use ’-’.


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2.4 XX line

This separator line conveys no meaning. It is used to separate blocks of lines.


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2.5 Names line

The Names line indicates the name(s) of the motif described by the rule. The first name is the one used in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot, synonyms are listed below, one name per line. If there is no specific name for a motif, the term ‘Undefined’ should be inserted as a placeholder.

Application:

 
Protein rule: 1 name is mandatory

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Names: Undefined

Names: Synonym1

 Synonym2

Example:

 
Names: Nacht domain

 NACHT-NTPase domain

 Nucleoside triphosphatase domain


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2.6 Function line

The Function line indicates the ‘generic’ function of a domain. Usually it should not be longer than one line, but in case it is, the lines following the first one will be indented by a space.

Application:

 
Protein rule: forbidden

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Function: Undefined/Unknown

Function: text

Examples:

 
Function: Protein-binding

Function: DNA-binding

Function: Inhibits fibrinogen interaction with platelet receptors in

 snake venoms


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2.7 Internal comments


Comments concerning the rule, which are for internal use, and do not appear in published versions. It should appear on lines prefixed with two asterisks and a space. They may appear at the very end of the Header section, and throughout the Annotation section and the Computing section. However, it is good practice to put such comments at the end of the Header section where they are immediately visible, and only put them exceptionally in the Annotation and Computing sections.
Example:

 
** SALRD unusually long in the C-terminus, flagged as atypical.


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3. Annotation section

The Annotation section includes all UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot annotation lines that can be applied to a rule match. Additionally there can be lines which indicate condition statements (‘case’, ‘else case’, ‘else’, ‘c?’, ‘c!’) and a line which indicates the motif or alignments, according to which the feature positions are calculated (See section FT From line). The line order is the same as in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot.


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3.1 ID line

The ID line contains the mnemonic code for a protein name used in the entry name of a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: forbidden

Format:

 
ID   protein_name_code

Example:

 
ID   ACKA


Note: If specified code is ’Ynnn’ it will be replaced by ’Y’ followed by the OLN (OrderedLocusName) number of the annotated protein.


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3.2 DE line

The DE line corresponds to the description line of a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry. To define DE annotation that should be added to existing data (from original entry and/or from previous rule element applications) instead of replacing it: prepend DE block with ‘+’.

Application:

 
Protein: mandatory

Domain/Site: optional

Formats:

 
DE   Description.



DE   + partial_description

Example:

 
DE   RecName: Full=Putative 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase;

DE            EC=3.2.2.-;



DE   + RecName: EC=2.7.3.-;


The DE line may contain the placeholder ‘<locus_tag>’, which is to be replaced (in annotation output) by the Ordered Locus Name (OLN) of the entry (or by its ORFNames if no OLN was found; if nothing can be found: will be left as it is but a warning will be generated).
It may also contain the placeholder ‘<gene_name>’ which is to be replaced by the entry gene name (GN Name).

Example:

 
DE   RecName: Full=Hemerythrin-like protein <locus_tag>.


The DE line may contain the @gn(ANYGENENAME) placeholder/command, which is to be replaced by the correct casing and gene count numbering (according to the entry taxonomy) of the specified gene name.


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3.3 GN line

The GN line contains the common gene name (and optionally synonyms) of a protein family, when one exists.

Application:

 
Protein: optional

Domain/Site: forbidden

Format:

 
GN   Name=name;[ Synonyms=synonym[, synonym]…;]

Examples:

 
GN   Name=acpD;

GN   Name=groS; Synonyms=groES;


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3.4 CC line

The CC line(s) contains all applicable comment lines of a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry.

Application:

 
Protein: optional

Domain/Site: optional

Format:

 
CC   -!- topic: text.

Example:

 
CC   -!- SIMILARITY: Belongs to the ABC transporter family.


The CC line topic ‘SIMILARITY: Contains’ is often not complete. The hash sign ‘#’ in the text stands for the number of hits found for the given motif and is replaced during the automated annotation procedure; the term ‘repeat’, ‘domain’ or ‘zinc finger’ will be set to plural if more than 1 true positive hit was found of them in a protein.

The CC line may contain :

 
CC   -!- PTM: The phosphorylation of #{120} activates ...

CC   -!- PTM: Phosphorylation at #{Ser-187:FEN1_HUMAN} by CDK2 ...

CC   -!- PTM: The reversible ADP-ribosylation of #{Arg-101} inactivates ...

The latter becomes for example:

 
CC   -!- PTM: The reversible ADP-ribosylation of Arg-112 inactivates ...

...


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3.5 DR line

The DR line main usage is to trigger ’child’ rules in order to avoid duplication of rule content. It has not much to do with ’real’ DR UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot annotation lines (in Anabelle, DR annotation is only performed for PROSITE motifs). The format of the DR line is similar to that of a TR line (See section TR line).

Application:

 
Protein rule: optional

Domain/Site rule: optional

Format:

 
DR   type/dbname; feature name; identifier; nbhits; trigger=[yes|strict|no]

Example:

 
DR   PROSITE; PS00419; PHOTOSYSTEM_I_PSAAB; 1; trigger=no

DR   PROSITE; PS00010; ASX_HYDROXYL; 0-1; trigger=no

DR   General; Signal; -; 0-1; trigger=strict

DR   General; Transmembrane; -; 10-11; trigger=yes


Notes:


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3.6 KW line

The KW line contains all applicable keywords for a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry, one per line.

Application:

 
Protein rule: optional

Domain/Site rule: optional

Format:

 
KW   keyword

Example:

 
KW   Transferase

KW   Kinase


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3.7 GO line

The GO line contains all applicable Gene Ontology terms, one per line.

Application:

 
Protein rule: optional

Domain/Site rule: optional

Format:

 
GO   accession-number; aspect:term

Example:

 
GO   GO:0019104; F:DNA N-glycosylase activity

GO   GO:0006281; P:DNA repair



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3.8 FT line

The FT (Feature table) line contains applicable features for a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry. The feature positions are calculated by the automated annotation program based on the rule and the motif match positions.

Application:

 
Protein rule: optional

Domain/Site rule: optional

Format:

 
FT   From: template-id (template-accnumber) OR unique identifier for a motif

FT   key      from     to       desc.

[FT   [Optional;] [Group: n;] [Condition: pattern]]

Examples:

 
FT   From: CARB_ECOLI (P00968)

FT   DOMAIN     Nter    403       Carboxyphosphate synthetic domain.



FT   From: PS00385

FT   SITE          6      6       By similarity.


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3.8.1 FT From line


The FT From line is mandatory above the FT feature line. It defines the "template" / "frame of reference" to allow the rule specified coordinates to be mapped into the target sequence coordinates, for all subsequent FT feature lines. The template must be one of the following: ’any’, the unique identifier for a motif, a protein identifier, or a metamotif.

Format:

 
FT   From: unique identifier for a motif [:regexp]

FT   From: entry_name (accession_number) [:regexp]

FT   From: metamotif [:regexp]

FT   From: any [:regexp]

Examples:

 
FT   From: PS50234

FT   From: ACP_ECOLI (P02901)

FT   From: PS50021=7,91=PS50021

FT   From: any

FT   From: PS50217 :([KR])[^LI].*([KR])[^LI]([LI]).*([LI])


If (accession_number) is given = the template/frame of reference is a UniProt protein = the numbering is based on this protein, the subsequent positions will be mapped to the annotated target sequence.
If (accession_number) is not given = the frame of reference is the trigger (motif) match region. If a specific motif identifier is given the subsequent FTs will only be propagated if the current trigger is of the specified kind (this is useful when one rule as multiple triggers...). If "any" is used, no filtering by trigger name will be performed.
The optional regexp, can be used in conjonction with $1-9 position "keys" in subsequent FTs to annotate floating postions.


N.B. If the template is a metamotif, it must be present verbatim in the TR line.


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3.8.2 FT feature line

The FT feature line defines the actual FT lines that are to be propagated in member entries.

Format:

 
FT   key      from     to       desc.

key

A UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot feature key. (N.B. if set to ‘HIDDEN’, the feature will not be propagated. Just to add constraint to a FT Group or raise a Tag...)

from
to

The feature positions in one of the following formats:

1

The start of the template.

12

A position relative to the beginning of the template.

8+1

A position relative to the beginning of the template, shifted by a number of residues relative to the target sequence (not always the same as position 9 on the template sequence, as there might be inserts).

<1
?251

A position relative to the beginning of the template, with a modifier used in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot features.

Nter
Cter

The first, respectively last residue of the target sequence.

from
to

The start and the end of the template, extended by as many residues as necessary to produce a complete match in case of partial profile matches. The number of residues to add is indicated in the ‘FeatureFrom’ and ‘FeatureTo’ GFF attributes.

entry
exit

The start and the end of the template, not extended in case of partial matches.

$1

The start of the matching FT From regexp capture group (1 to 9)

desc

The feature description.

Examples:

 
FT   CHAIN      to+1   Cter       <name>.

FT   LIPID         1      1       GPI-anchor amidated <residue_name>.

FT   DOMAIN     from     to       Laminin G-like #.

FT   TOPO_DOM   Nter      6       Periplasmic (Potential).

FT   DOMAIN        ?    8+1       EGF-like #.

FT   From: PS50217 :([KR])[^LI].*([KR])[^LI]([LI]).*([LI])

FT   REGION       $1      $2       Basic motif #.

FT   REGION       $3      $4       Leucine-zipper #.


Placeholders (in the description)


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3.8.3 FT constraints line

The FT constraints line (also known as the FT Condition line) gives constraints on the FT line immediately above it.

Format:

 
FT   [Tag: tagname[, tagname]…;] [Optional;] [Group: n;] [Condition: pattern]

The Feature line is most often constrained by a pattern on the sequence (in cases where more complex rules are needed, the case statement (See section Case statement) should be used.

Example:

 
FT   BINDING      37     37       Phosphopantetheine (By similarity).

FT   Tag: phospho; Condition: S


The ‘pattern’ is specified in the PROSITE pattern format with the addition

that the character ‘*’ may be used to specify an unconstrained range, e.g.C-x*-C’. The region of the sequence corresponding to the feature must exactly match this pattern.

For the consistency of annotation, multiple FT lines that should be applied either all together or not at all should be grouped within a ‘Group’, to constrain the common presence of all sites. This group can the be referenced by case statements, for instance in the relevant KW and CC lines that depend on the presence of the feature.

Example:

 
case <FTGroup:1>

KW   GTP-binding

end case

XX

case <OC:Bacteria>

FT   From: IF2_ECOLI (P02995)

FT   DOMAIN      392    540       G-domain.

FT   Group: 1

FT   NP_BIND     398    405       GTP (By similarity).

FT   Group: 1; Condition: G-H-V-D-H-G-K-T

FT   NP_BIND     444    448       GTP (By similarity).

FT   Group: 1; Condition: D-T-P-G-H

FT   NP_BIND     498    501       GTP (By similarity).

FT   Group: 1; Condition: N-K-[LIVCM]-D

end case

Note: One FT line can be part of several FTGroups. If at least one of those groups is complete, the FT line passes its FTGroup constraint (implicit OR).

Example:

 
FT   DISULFID     25     31       By similarity.

FT   Group: 1; Group: 2; Condition: C-x*-C


The ‘Optional’ label can be used to indicate that the absence of a feature should not be considered a trigger for warnings in annotation programs. It can only be present if a ‘Condition’ pattern is supplied.

Example:

 
FT   BINDING      37     37       Phosphopantetheine (By similarity).

FT   Optional; Condition: S

A ‘Tag’ name (or several) can be given to the feature (N.B. distinct features can have the same tag name) for easier use of case against specific features (with case <FTTag:tagname>) See section Case statement.

Example:

 
FT   DISULFID     48     51       Redox-active (By similarity).

FT   Tag: disulf, redox; Condition: C-x*-C


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4. Computing section

The Computing section contrasts with the Annotation section in that the line identifiers are no longer restricted to 2 letters. The information starts in the line of the line identifier, the following lines are indented by 1 space.

General format:

 
Line identifier1: info in line1

 following lines are indented

Line identifier2: info in line1

 following lines are indented

 …

Not all line types are relevant to any data class (See section DC line).


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4.1 Warn line

Specify a warning that should be generated when the rule is used for automatic annotation. Most often used within a case statement to indicate the occurrence of an inconsistency that cannot be solved by the rule, or that some annotation should be completed manually by a curator. The SAM module transfers the text of Warn lines into the ‘**HW’ section of a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry.

Application:

 
Protein rule: optional

Domain/Site rule: optional

Format:

 
Warn: text

Example:

 
case <OC:Proteobacteria>

Warn: Check manually domain bounds

end case


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4.2 Chop line

Range by which the bounds of a domain may be chopped in order to annotate successive domains in an exactly consecutive manner. This line can only be used by programs if the complete size of the domain can be annotated; generally it will not be possible to use it with a pattern that covers only part of the domain.

Application:

 
Protein rule: forbidden

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Chop: Nter=max; Cter=max;[ Xter(motif)=max;]*

Examples:

 
Chop: Nter=0; Cter=3;

Chop: Nter=1; Cter=unlimited;

Chop: Nter=0; Cter=0; Nter(Signal)=50;


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4.3 Size line

The Size line indicates the size relevant to a protein family or motif. For entries of the data class ‘Protein’, the minimal and maximal size of proteins matching the rule are listed. For entries of the data class ‘Domain’, this line contains the size range of the complete domains annotated in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Members that are strongly divergent in size may be excluded from the range. A size may be specified as ‘unlimited’.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Size: minimal_size-maximal_size;

Size: fixed_size;

Examples:

 
Size: 176-239;

Size: 13-unlimited;

Size: unlimited;


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4.4 Related line

Lists UniRules that are known to be similar in sequence, and risk to produce cross-matches. If the string ‘!’ or ‘!!’ is appended to the name of a rule, it means that the rule listed in the Related line supersedes the current rule, i.e. matches to the current rule should be disregarded if a match with the listed rule is found: ‘!’ in an overlapping region; ‘!!’ anywhere on the protein.

The marker ‘!’ is particularly useful when two different rules exist for a ‘short’ and a ‘long’ version of the same protein (as occurs sometimes in HAMAP families). ‘Long’ proteins will match both profiles; under these circumstances the ‘longer’ UniRule should contain the ‘!’ marker to supersede the shorter UniRule.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Related: None;

Related: Protein[!][!];[ Protein[!][!];]…

Example:

 
Related: MF_00492; MF_00493; MF_00494;

Related: MF_00344!;

Related: ANA00003!!;


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4.5 Repeats line

The observed number of repetitions of a domain or site in a UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry. The number may be specified as ‘unlimited’.

Application:

 
Protein rule: forbidden

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Repeats: value;[ no keyword;]

Repeats: min-max;

The optional attribute ‘no keyword’ indicates that the presence of several copies of a rule of the type ‘Domain’ should not trigger the addition of the keyword ‘Repeat’ (See section The keyword Repeat).

Examples:

 
Repeats: 1;

Repeats: 2-4;

Repeats: unlimited; no keyword;


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4.6 Topology line

Specifies the subcellular location(s) in which a domain or site may occur.

Application:

 
Protein rule: optional

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Formats:

 
Topology: Undefined;

Topology: location;

Values for this topic are restricted to ‘Undefined’, ‘Cytoplasmic’ or ‘Not cytoplasmic’.

Example:

 
Topology: Not cytoplasmic;


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4.7 Template line

Lists accession number(s) of characterized proteins which were used to build the UniRule (Note: indicative only). Uncharacterized protein families do not necessarily have a template, this is noted as ‘Template: None;’. Note that in many cases the propagated annotation is a subset of that found in the characterized entries.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: forbidden

Format:

 
Template: accession_number;[ accession number;]…

Template: None;

Template: Undefined;

Examples:

 
Template: P12345;

Template: None;

Template: Undefined;



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4.8 Example line

One or more example entry targeted by the rule.

Application:

 
Protein rule: forbidden

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Example: accession_number;[ accession number;]…

Example: Undefined;

Examples:

 
Example: P12345;

Example: Undefined;


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4.9 Scope block

Lists the taxonomic classes in which a rule match may be found.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Scope:

 kingdom[; sub-taxon]

  [except sub-taxon

  …]

  [not in taxcode[, taxcode]…]

 …

The kingdom line is indented by one space, while the subsequent lines are indented by two spaces.

Example:

 
Scope:

 Bacteria; Proteobacteria

  except Enterobacteriales

  except Pasteurellales

 Bacteria; Actinobacteria

 Archaea

  not in ARCFU, HALN1, METTH, METJA, PYRAB, PYRHO, SULSO, SULTO,

  THEAC, THEVO

 Plastid


The taxonomic classification is composed of the kingdom, optionally followed by the name of a sub-taxon, to further limit the application of the UniRule to any taxonomic level. Valid values for kingdom are: ‘Eukaryota’, ‘Bacteria’, ‘Archaea’, ‘Viruses’, ‘Bacteriophage’, ‘Plastid’ and ‘Mitochondrion’. The two latter values designate proteins encoded in the organelle genome but not proteins encoded in the nucleus and targeted to the organelle.

If it has been assessed with certainty that a UniRule is not represented in:

Note: Plasmid is not defined as kingdom; there is a separate line type (See section Plasmid line).


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4.10 Fusion block

Lists UniRules to which a given UniRule may be fused in some instances.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: forbidden

Format:

 
Fusion:

 NT: None

 CT: None

Fusion:

 NT: Protein[; Protein]…

 CT: Protein[; Protein]…

Protein may be either a UniRule accession followed by an identifiers between round brackets (e.g.MF_00222 (aroE)’), or a designation between angle brackets (e.g.<Thioredoxin domain>’) if no UniRule is available.

Example:

 
Fusion:

 NT: None

 CT: MF_00222 (aroE); <Unknown>


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4.11 Duplicate line

Lists the organisms for which the motif which triggers the rule is found in multiple copies.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: forbidden

Format:

 
Duplicate: None

Duplicate: in taxcode[, taxcode]…

Example:

 
Duplicate: in ANASP, CAUCR, LACLA, RHILO, RHIME, STAAU, SYNY3


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4.12 Plasmid line

Lists the organisms for which the motif which triggers the rule is found encoded on a plasmid.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: forbidden

Format:

 
Plasmid: None

Plasmid: in taxcode[, taxcode]…

Example:

 
Plasmid: in RHIME


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4.13 Comments block

Comments concerning the rule, which should be made visible to the public.

Application:

 
Protein rule: mandatory

Domain/Site rule: mandatory

Format:

 
Comments: None

Comments: comment_text

Example:

 
Comments: NUDIX-like C-terminal domain in SYNY3


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5. Control statements


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5.1 Case statement

Format:

 
case <condition>[ and|or [not] [defined] <condition>]…

else case <condition>[ and|or [not] [defined] <condition>]…

else

end case

The ‘case’ and ‘else case’ lines include conditions that must be met for the lines below it to be applied, until the next ‘else case’, ‘else’ or ‘end case’ statement. Condition lines (c! and c?, see below) do not break the latest case statement.

Note: It is not possible to use a ‘case’ statement within a ‘case’ statement, but it is possible to use the condition lines c! or c?.

Types of cases:


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5.1.1 Ternary logic

UniRule conditions should be evaluated using ternary logic, where conditions evaluate to one of three values: true, false, or undef. Operators are defined as follows, consistently with their implementation in the Perl programming language. Note that certain rules are counterintuitive.


Binary operators: ‘and’ and ‘or

i j i and j i or j
true true true true
true false false true
true undef undef true
false true false true
false false false false
false undef false undef
undef true undef true
undef false undef false
undef undef undef undef

Unary operators: ‘not’ and ‘defined

i not i defined i
true false true
false true true
undef undef false

Operator associativity and precedence

The precedence order from highest to lowest and associativity are as follows.

associativity operator
right defined
right not
left and
left or


Example of application: if the number of membranes is known and equal to 2, then apply a given annotation item. Otherwise, apply a less specific annotation item.

 
case defined <Property:Membrane> and <Property:Membrane=2>

CC   -!- SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Inner membrane-associated (By similarity).

else

CC   -!- SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Membrane-associated (By similarity).

end case


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5.1.2 Condition line c! or c?

The condition line c! or c? contains additional constraints for the propagation of the line immediately below it. The format of this line is either:

 
c!   condition

c?   condition

where condition has the same syntax as in a case line, or, before a FT line, it can also include a PROSITE pattern expression.

Note: In FT lines, FT[Group] condition cannot be used (use case instead!).

The condition line differs from the case line in that

The condition of the c! line must be true, otherwise an error is expected. Tools using UniRules are recommended to produce an error message.

Example:

 
c!   <Feature:PS00013>

KW   ATP-binding

The condition of the c? line may be true or not, as the feature does not appear in all matches of the UniRule.

Example:

 
c?   <Feature:PS99999:10-13=N-{P}-[ST]-{P}> and <OC:Eukaryota>

FT   CARBOHYD     10    13      N-linked (Potential).

Exceptions: See section Hidden information.

Transition: Condition lines should get automatically replaced by c! lines, and some of them later by c? lines. Mandatory conditions for disulfides should be suppressed, optional ones replaced by c? lines.


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6. Hidden information

UniRules strive to include all information relevant to a motif. However, to avoid repetition, we did not include the information below, which is implicitly ‘known’ by the automatic annotation pipeline tools.


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6.1 The keyword Repeat

The keyword Repeat is relevant to all rules of the data class Domain. This keyword applies when a domain or repeat is found at least twice in a protein. The corresponding part of the rule would be:

 
case <Feature:current_rule_accession_number>1>

KW   Repeat

end case

This behavior can be prevented by using the attribute ‘no keyword’ in the Repeats line (See section Repeats line).


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6.2 The FT constraints line for the feature key DISULFID

For features with the key DISULFID, the constraint that the From and To positions both need to be a cysteine is implicit. The corresponding line would be the second line of the following example:

 
FT   DISULFID      4    23      By similarity.

FT   Condition: C-x*-C


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A. UniAln

Introduction

UniAln is a format for protein sequence alignments that complement the UniRules collection. Some UniRules are developed based on predictors from specialized databases such as PROSITE. However, other UniRules are based on curated alignments that constitute the UniAln collection. That is the method used in the HAMAP annotation project.


Format

UniAln alignments are in a format similar to that produced by the CLUSTAL suite of programs. Each alignment is composed of:


The alignment is subject to the following constraints:


The alignment header line

The first line of the alignment must start with the string ‘CLUSTAL’ or ‘MUSCLE’ or ‘T_COFFEE’. The rest of the line is free-text, but special tags are recognized by programs. The tags may be repeated. Tags are:

template=identifier

indicate that a sequence in the alignment is a template for feature propagation in the UniRule that uses the alignment. It is mandatory to indicate template sequences in alignments to allow alignment-based feature propagation in UniRules.

profile_method=method

indicate the method that should be used to generate a profile from the alignment. Allowed values for method are:

profile_method=pfmake

(default) A profile should be generated using ‘pfw’ and ‘pfmake’ from the PFTOOLS package. There is no need to indicate this method, as it is the default.

profile_method=hmmbuild

A Hidden Markov Model should be generated using ‘hmmbuild’ from the HMMER package and converted to a profile using ‘htop’ from the PFTOOLS package. Profiles generated with ‘pfmake’ are usually more sensitive than those generated with ‘hmmbuild’. In some cases this means that they are less discriminating. If it is observed that the default method causes false positives, it can be attempted to use the ‘hmmbuild’ method to see if it solves the problem. See HAMAP 2003 paper for a discussion.

In a few HAMAP families, ‘hmmbuild’ was able to avoid false positives and negatives, while ‘pfmake’ was not:

  • for closely related protein families;
  • for certain very short proteins (‘pfmake’ gave very low scores).


Example header lines:

 
CLUSTAL

CLUSTAL W (1.83) multiple sequence alignment template=XYLA_ECOLI template=XYLA_ACTMI

CLUSTAL W (1.83) multiple sequence alignment template=XYLA_ECOLI profile_method=hmmbuild

MUSCLE (3.52) multiple sequence alignment


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B. Sample UniRules entries

Example of a ’Domain’ UniRule

 
AC   PRU00241;

DC   Domain;

TR   PROSITE; PS50903; RUBREDOXIN_LIKE; 1; level=0

XX

Names: Rubredoxin-like domain

Function: It is involved in electron transfer processes.

XX

CC   -!- SIMILARITY: Contains # rubredoxin-like domain.

DR   PROSITE; PS00202; RUBREDOXIN; 0-1; trigger=no

case <FTGroup:1>

GO   GO:0009490; F:mononuclear iron electron carrier

GO   GO:0006810; P:transport

GO   GO:0006118; P:electron transport

KW   Transport

KW   Electron transport

KW   Metal-binding

KW   Iron

end case

XX

FT   From: PS50903

FT   DOMAIN     from     to       Rubredoxin-like #.

FT   METAL         6      6       Iron #1 (By similarity).

FT   Group: 1; Condition: C

FT   METAL         9      9       Iron #1 (By similarity).

FT   Group: 1; Condition: C

FT   METAL        38     38       Iron #1 (By similarity).

FT   Group: 1; Condition: C

FT   METAL        41     41       Iron #1 (By similarity).

FT   Group: 1; Condition: C

XX

Chop: Nter=0; Cter=0;

Size: 34-54;

Related: None;

Repeats: 2;

Topology: Cytoplasmic;

Example: Q9V099;

Scope:

 Bacteria

 Archaea

//

Example of a ’Protein’ UniRule

 
AC   MF_00198;

DC   Protein; auto

TR   HAMAP; MF_00198; -; 1; level=0

XX

ID   SPEE

case <OC:Bacteria>

DE   Spermidine synthase (EC 2.5.1.16) (Putrescine aminopropyltransferase)

DE   (PAPT) (SPDSY).

end case

case <OC:Archaea>

DE   Probable spermidine synthase (EC 2.5.1.16) (Putrescine

DE   aminopropyltransferase) (PAPT) (SPDSY).

end case

GN   Name=speE;

XX

CC   -!- FUNCTION: Catalyzes the production of spermidine from putrescine

CC       and decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine (dcSAM), which serves as

CC       an aminopropyl donor (By similarity).

CC   -!- CATALYTIC ACTIVITY: S-adenosylmethioninamine + putrescine = 5'-S-

CC       methyl-5'-thioadenosine + spermidine.

CC   -!- PATHWAY: Amine and polyamine biosynthesis; spermidine

CC       biosynthesis; spermidine from putrescine: step 1/1.

case <OC:Proteobacteria>

CC   -!- SUBUNIT: Homodimer (By similarity).

else case <OC:Thermotogales>

CC   -!- SUBUNIT: Homotetramer (By similarity).

else

CC   -!- SUBUNIT: Homodimer or homotetramer (By similarity).

end case

CC   -!- SIMILARITY: Belongs to the spermidine/spermine synthase family.

XX

DR   Pfam; PF01564; Spermine_synth; 1; trigger=no

DR   TIGRFAMs; TIGR00417; speE; 1; trigger=no

DR   PROSITE; PS01330; SPERMIDINE_SYNTHASE_1; 1; trigger=no

DR   PROSITE; PS51006; SPERMIDINE_SYNTHASE_2; 1; trigger=no

XX

KW   Polyamine biosynthesis

KW   Spermidine biosynthesis

KW   Transferase

XX

GO   GO:0004766; F:spermidine synthase activity

GO   GO:0008295; P:spermidine biosynthetic process

XX

FT   From: SPEE_THEMA (Q9WZC2)

FT   REGION      152    153       S-adenosylmethioninamine binding (By

FT                                similarity).

FT   Condition: [DN]-[AGV]

FT   BINDING      46     46       S-adenosylmethioninamine (By similarity).

FT   Condition: [QHNR]

FT   BINDING     101    101       S-adenosylmethioninamine (By similarity).

FT   Condition: [DE]

FT   BINDING     121    121       S-adenosylmethioninamine (By similarity).

FT   Condition: [ED]

FT   BINDING     170    170       S-adenosylmethioninamine (By similarity).

FT   Condition: D

FT   BINDING     173    173       Putrescine (By similarity).

FT   Condition: [DE]

XX

Size: 261-366;

Related: None;

Template: P09158; P70998; Q9WZC2; Q8U4G1; O25503;

Scope:

 Bacteria

  not in AGRT5, ANASP, BACTN, BORBR, BORBU, BORPA, BORPE, BRAJA, BRUME,

  BRUSU, BUCBP, CAMJE, BLOFL, CAUCR, CHLCV, CHLMU, CHLPN, CHLTE, CHLTR,

  CORGL, COXBU, DEIRA, ENTFA, FUSNN, GLOVI, HAEDU, HAEIN, HELHP, LACLA,

  LACPL, LISIN, LISMO, MYCGA, MYCGE, MYCLE, MYCPE, MYCPN, MYCPU, PASMU,

  PORGI, PSEPK, RHILO, RHIME, RICCN, RICPR, STAAM, STAAN, STAAW, STAES,

  STRA3, STRA5, STRMU, STRP3, STRP8, STRP1, SYNEL, SYNY3, TREPA, TROW8,

  TROWT, UREPA, VIBCH, VIBPA, WIGBR

 Archaea

  not in HALSA, METAC, METKA, METMA, METTH

Fusion:

 NT: <Unknown>

 CT: <Unknown>

Duplicate: in AQUAE, BACAN, BACCR, LEPIN, PSEAE, RALSO, STRCO, THETN

Plasmid: in RALSO

Comments: None

**In Buchnera sp. only speE and speD are present, neither the pathway from ornithine

**nor the pathway from arginine are complete.

//




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