DART determines the domain architecture of a protein sequence by comparison to a database of conserved domain alignments, CDD, using RPS-BLAST. It then compares the protein's domain architecture to that of other proteins in NCBI's non-redundant sequence database, nr. Related sequences are identified as those proteins which share one or more similar domains. DART displays these sequences using a graphical summary showing the types and locations of domains identified within each sequence, with links to the individual sequences and to further information on their domain architectures.

DART can be a useful tool in comparative sequence analysis. Domains may be considered elementary units of molecular function, and proteins related by domain architecture may thus play similar roles in cellular processes. The example belows shows sequence similar to the G-protein regulator NP_002917. The proteins with similar architecture also contain GTPase regulator and G protein binding domains. For example, the first set of sequences have a nearly identical domain architecture, and may be orthologous. The second set of sequences shares the GTPase regulator domain RGS and the G-protein binding domain GoLoco, and may also regulate G protein activity.

A result example for gi 4506509

To send a protein sequence to DART use the DART query page. For further information on DART see the DART FAQ.