Q1. What is HSPMdb?
Answer. HSPMdb is a manually curated database of experimentally validated small molecule inhibitors or activators of five major heat shock proteins (Hsps).
Q2. Why HSPMdb is created?
Answer. Hsps are comprised of a family of cellular proteins that protects cells from the deleterious effect of stress conditions such as changes in temperature, pH, and metal ions. The Hsps are known to bind with exposed hydrophobic patches in partially unfolded proteins, and prevent their aggregation. Thus, Hsps have been considered as promising drug targets and considerable attempts have been made to develop potential modulators of these proteins. To the best of our knowledge, inspite of wealth of information on Hsps and their modulators, there is currently no platform that could provide comprehensive details all such molecules. Therefore, to assist scientific community working in the field of Hsps, we have developed a comprehensive repository on Hsp modulators.
Q3.What is unique about HSPMdb?
Answer. HSPMdb is a first of its kind platform which provides comprehensive information of experimentally validated small molecule modulators against five major Hsps. HSPMdb has been integrated with various tools which assist users in searching, browsing and analysis of data. Additionally, physicochemical properties of each of the modulators have been presented. The method used for measuring molecule activity, its IC50 and binding affinity has also been reported in HSPMdb. Using Draw tool, user can fetch Hsp inhibitors based upon their query molecule in HSPMdb.
Q4. Does this database represent all experimentally validated modulators of Hsps?
Answer. No. this is the first version of HSPMdb and we have incorporated five major Hsps and small Hsps have not been incorporated at this time. We shall update HSPMdb on regular intervals.
Q5. Why search HSPMdb?
Answer. HSPMdb provides all experimental information of small molecule modulators of five major heat shock proteins. The activity of molecules is reported based upon their effect on either enzymatic or cellular activity of heat shock proteins. Under enzymatic activity field, a detailed information of type of enzymatic assay used, effect of modulator, interaction site, and quantitative parameters such as IC50, EC50, DC50, EC50, Ki, Kd and percentage inhibition, has been provided. In cellular activity field, complete information of type of cell viability assays used, cell line examined, and effect in terms of cell growth inhibition, EC50 and GI50, has been compiled. Furthermore, for each compound, the database provides information on 2D/3D structure, its physical, elemental and topological properties. This comprehensive information provided herein would be very useful for vast number of researchers in the field.
Q6. How do I process a text search with HSPMdb?
Answer. User can submit any keyword like compound name, its IUPAC name or SMILES to perform search through the HSPMdb homepage. Further for more specific queries, users could search using “Complex Search” option.
Q7. To whom can I report a discrepancy?
Answer. For any discrepancy or suggestions, please refer to the "Contact Us" page.