Why do we need InterPro?

Protein signature databases have become vital tools for classification of protein sequences in order to infer their function. Many protein signature-based resources are now available, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

We need InterPro because it:

• reduces redundancy and simplifies protein sequence analysis by integrating signatures from different member databases that represent the same protein family, domain or site.

• unites the member databases, capitalising on their individual strengths to produce a powerful classification tool.

• provides a single convenient searchable location, allowing simultaneous querying of all member databases.
• adds information (including descriptive abstracts and Gene Ontology terms) to the signatures, which may be used to annotate the proteins they match.