This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate course at UW-Madison. http://genetics564.weebly.com/
What is Gene Ontology (GO)?
Gene Ontology is a collection of terms that organizes gene products into consistent descriptions across all databases. The project began as a collaboration between the FlyBase database, the Saccharmyces database, and the Mouse Genome Database. It now incorporates many more databases and organizes all of the functions for different gene products. These terms are called GO terms and they allow researchers and others to identify gene function from the terms used for their products. (1)
GO terms are divided into three different categories: molecular function, biological process, and cellular component. Molecular function ontology terms signify that a gene product has the ability to do something. Some examples of molecular function GO terms can include things that involve transport, binding, or changing one thing into another (2). Biological process GO terms are for series of molecular functions or event with a defined beginning and end (3). Cellular component GO terms signify locations at the subcellular and macromolecular level.
The three categories of GO terms for PTPN2 are listed below.
GO terms are divided into three different categories: molecular function, biological process, and cellular component. Molecular function ontology terms signify that a gene product has the ability to do something. Some examples of molecular function GO terms can include things that involve transport, binding, or changing one thing into another (2). Biological process GO terms are for series of molecular functions or event with a defined beginning and end (3). Cellular component GO terms signify locations at the subcellular and macromolecular level.
The three categories of GO terms for PTPN2 are listed below.
PTPN2 Gene Ontology
Molecular Function
Biological Process
Cellular Component
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Analysis
Gene ontology's terms associated with PTPN2 allowed me to further characterize the protein and gene's involvement in the body and the cell. Gene ontology was very useful in determining where PTPN2 was localizing and what types of processes and functions it was involved in. I was able to identify ontology terms that involved glucose metabolism and immune signaling, which I later used in my specific aims for future research with PTPN2 and Crohn's Disease.
References
- http://geneontology.org/page/documentation
- http://geneontology.org/page/molecular-function-ontology-guidelines
- http://geneontology.org/page/biological-process-ontology-guidelines