Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5317, USA.
Biol Reprod. 2012 Jun 28;86(6):192. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.099127. Print 2012 Jun.
Ovarian Kaleidoscope database (OKdb) is an online, searchable, public database containing text-based and DNA microarray data to facilitate research by ovarian researchers. Using key words and predetermined categories, users can search ovarian gene information based on gene function, cell type of expression, cellular localization, hormonal regulation, mutant phenotypes, chromosomal location, ligand-receptor relationship, and other criteria, either alone or in combination. For individual genes, users can access more than 10 extensive DNA microarray datasets to interrogate gene expression patterns in a development-specific and cell type-specific manner. All ligand and receptor genes expressed in the ovary are matched to facilitate investigation of paracrine/autocrine signaling. More than 3500 ovarian genes in the database are matched to 185 gene pathways in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes to allow for elucidation of gene interactions and relationships. In addition to >400 genes with infertility or subfertility phenotypes when mutated in mice or humans, the OKdb also lists ~50 and ~40 genes associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency, respectively. The expanding OKdb is updated weekly and allows submission of new genes by ovarian researchers to allow instant access to DNA microarray datasets for newly submitted genes. The present database is a virtual community for ovarian researchers and allows users to instantaneously provide their comments for individual gene pages based on an automated Web-discussion system. In the coming years, we will continue to add new features to serve the ovarian research community.
卵巢万花筒数据库（OKdb）是一个在线的、可搜索的公共数据库，包含基于文本的和 DNA 微阵列数据，以方便卵巢研究人员的研究。使用关键词和预定的类别，用户可以根据基因功能、表达的细胞类型、细胞定位、激素调节、突变表型、染色体位置、配体-受体关系和其他标准，单独或组合搜索卵巢基因信息。对于单个基因，用户可以访问 10 多个广泛的 DNA 微阵列数据集，以特定于发育和特定于细胞类型的方式询问基因表达模式。数据库中表达的所有配体和受体基因都匹配，以方便研究旁分泌/自分泌信号。数据库中的 3500 多个卵巢基因与京都基因与基因组百科全书（KEGG）中的 185 个基因途径相匹配，以阐明基因相互作用和关系。除了在小鼠或人类中突变时与不孕或生育力低下表型相关的>400 个基因外，OKdb 还列出了约 50 个和 40 个与多囊卵巢综合征和原发性卵巢功能不全相关的基因。不断扩展的 OKdb 每周更新，并允许卵巢研究人员提交新基因，以便即时访问新提交基因的 DNA 微阵列数据集。目前的数据库是一个卵巢研究人员的虚拟社区，允许用户根据自动网络讨论系统即时为个别基因页面提供评论。在未来几年，我们将继续添加新功能，为卵巢研究界服务。
