MetaCyc

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MetaCyc

Website	[ Official website]

MetaCyc is a comprehensive database of metabolic pathways and enzymes from a wide variety of organisms. It is curated and maintained by SRI International, a nonprofit scientific research institute. MetaCyc provides detailed information on metabolic pathways, enzymes, and the genes that encode them, making it a valuable resource for researchers in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, and systems biology.

Overview

MetaCyc contains curated data on metabolic pathways and enzymes from all domains of life, including bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes, and viruses. The database includes information on the chemical reactions that occur within these pathways, the enzymes that catalyze these reactions, and the genes that encode these enzymes. MetaCyc also provides information on the metabolites involved in these pathways.

Features

MetaCyc offers several features that make it a useful tool for researchers:

• **Pathway/Genome Databases (PGDBs)**: MetaCyc includes a collection of PGDBs that provide detailed information on the metabolic pathways and enzymes of specific organisms.
• **Pathway Tools Software**: MetaCyc is integrated with the Pathway Tools software, which allows users to visualize and analyze metabolic pathways and networks.
• **Comparative Analysis**: Researchers can use MetaCyc to compare metabolic pathways and enzymes across different organisms, helping to identify conserved and unique metabolic features.
• **Data Export**: Users can export data from MetaCyc in various formats for use in other applications and analyses.

Applications

MetaCyc is used in a variety of research applications, including:

• **Metabolic Engineering**: Researchers use MetaCyc to design and optimize metabolic pathways for the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and other valuable chemicals.
• **Systems Biology**: MetaCyc provides a comprehensive resource for modeling and analyzing metabolic networks, helping researchers understand the complex interactions within biological systems.
• **Comparative Genomics**: By comparing the metabolic pathways of different organisms, researchers can gain insights into the evolution of metabolism and identify potential targets for drug development.

Related Databases

MetaCyc is part of a larger family of databases that includes:

• BioCyc
• EcoCyc
• HumanCyc
• PlantCyc

See Also

• Metabolic network
• Enzyme
• Gene
• Biochemistry
• Molecular biology
• Systems biology

External Links

• [MetaCyc Official Website]