HATODAS: Heavy-atom Database System

This database is named HATODAS, meaning Heavy-ATOm DAtabase System. The purpose is to assist the researcher in preparing heavy-atom derivatives of a certain target protein with greater ease. It contains a list of familiar heavy atom derivatives. Whereas, conventionally, derivatives are prepared through a lengthy process of 'hit-or-miss' procedures, searching this collection of data produces a result of suggested heavy-atom reagents for the target protein, determined by its crystallization conditions and amino-acid sequence. Using this database when studying the structure-determining process of target proteins, revealed that 93 particular sequences (motifs) were more often noticed to be present at the actual heavy-atom binding sites. These sequences are therefore perceived to be preferred for successful heavy-atom binding. The site provides a link to the RIKEN Harima Heavy-atom Database.