BMC Genomics (Sep 2008)
MeDor: a metaserver for predicting protein disorder
Abstract
Abstract Background We have previously shown that using multiple prediction methods improves the accuracy of disorder predictions. It is, however, a time-consuming procedure, since individual outputs of multiple predictions have to be retrieved, compared to each other and a comprehensive view of the results can only be obtained through a manual, fastidious, non-automated procedure. We herein describe a new web metaserver, MeDor, which allows fast, simultaneous analysis of a query sequence by multiple predictors and provides a graphical interface with a unified view of the outputs. Results MeDor was developed in Java and is freely available and downloadable at: http://www.vazymolo.org/MeDor/index.html. Presently, MeDor provides a HCA plot and runs a secondary structure prediction, a prediction of signal peptides and transmembrane regions and a set of disorder predictions. MeDor also enables the user to customize the output and to retrieve the sequence of specific regions of interest. Conclusion As MeDor outputs can be printed, saved, commented and modified further on, this offers a dynamic support for the analysis of protein sequences that is instrumental for delineating domains amenable to structural and functional studies.