AminoTrack: Automating the Entry and Analysis of Mutations in Multiple Protein Sequences Using a Spreadsheet Format

AminoTrack is a web based tool designed to increase the efficiency with which sequence data is recorded for further analysis. The main purpose of AminoTrack is to streamline the process and reduce human error in the identification of mutations present in multiple sequences compared to a reference sequence. Aligned protein sequences are entered in the web submission form and comma delimited files are generated in a zip file for loading into a spreadsheet. These files can be imported into any spreadsheet program that recognizes comma delimited files such as Microsoft Excel or SPSS. The sequences are analyzed for mutations in amino acids, charge changes, and potential N-linked glycosylation sites (PNG). The data may be viewed in a spreadsheet in a columnar binary format of “0” and “1” with one amino acid position per column. Currently this program is being used to identify mutations in viral proteins as these proteins evolve during infection.