UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot release 57.6 contains 14 233 annotated viral entries. Viral entries are created or updated to describe the protein’s functionality and characteristics, such as 3D structure, functional domains, localization in the host cell, or post-translational modifications. The annotation also includes data concerning the infectious cycle or interactions with the host proteins (e.g. intracellular machinery, host cell immunity, host entry receptors), as well as a precise description of the host organism, often leading to taxonomy updates. In order to have the most up-to-date annotation, we frequently collaborate with virologists. Special emphasis is put on viruses of public health importance, especially those that are causative agents of human epidemics. As a result, we have fully annotated proteins from HIV, influenza, SARS, hepatitis A, hepatitis C, hepatitis E, Ebolavirus, caliciviruses, Chikungunya virus, Dengue virus, lyssaviruses and Rubella virus. In 2009, we completed the annotation of rotaviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, Varicella-zoster virus and Herpes simplex virus and have added a set of representative strains of the H1N1 swine flu 2009 outbreak.
