Of Urfs and Orfs: A Primer on How to Analyze Derived Amino Acid Sequences (Paperback)

~ Russell Doolittle (Author) "The first thing to find out about an open reading frame - an "orf" or "urf" - is, whether the sequence or something resembling it..." (more)
Key Phrases: alignment score, coupling peptides, hydropathy profile (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In these days of facile cloning and rapid DNA sequencing, it is not uncommon for investigators to find themselves with a DNA sequence that may or may not code for a known gene product. The sequence is 'open' when read in an appropriate frame, which is to say that there is a long run of amino acid codons before the appearance of a terminator codon. How can we find out if this 'unidentified reading frame' (URF) really codes for a genuine protein, and how can we identify it if it exists? There are two general strategies, both of which can also be applied to the characterization of any 'open reading frame' (ORF), whether or not it has been 'identified'. The first and simplest approach involves computer searching and analysis; the second employs antibodies raised against synthetic peptides patterned on the sequence of the expected gene product. Both methods have been used with great success by many investigators. Each has, nonetheless, its pitfalls and frustrations. This primer is meant to guide the researcher past those obstacles as much as possible. Graduate students and researchers interested in amino acid sequencing; molecular biologists, biochemists, chemists, and biotechnologists.

About the Author

Russell F. Doolittle is a Professor at the University of California, San Diego

Product Details

• Paperback: 103 pages
• Publisher: University Science Books (December 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935702547
• ISBN-13: 978-0935702545
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,893,565 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone dealing with biological sequence analysis., May 7, 1997

By A Customer

This book will take you through the basic concepts of sequence analysis. Basic concepts of bioinformatics and sequence analysis are explained in a way any biologists can understand. This is a must if you ever compared two sequences or screened the database for homologous sequences (or if you ever intend to)