Cardio: a web-based knowledge resource of genes and proteins related to cardiovascular disease.

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading killer for human. In order to understand the linkage between cardiovascular diseases and genes or proteins, it is essential to construct a database to organize the body of knowledge. While the existing molecular biological databases focus on the sequence and structural aspects of biological macromolecules, i.e. DNAs, RNAs and proteins, Cardio is the web-based system we built to provide a knowledge environment with visual interface to integrate information about major cardiovascular diseases in relation to genes and proteins. Methods: We collected the information from the web by using a group of software we developed and used a relational database management system to manage the information of these data. Results: Cardio consists of six sections: GENE, PROTEIN, DISEASE, DRUG, LINKS, and REFERENCE. Each section contains relevant information about the topic. Using a phenotype-driven approach, we can identify genetic mechanisms underlying the physiology and pathophysiology of specific cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, and stroke. Conclusion: The website titled "Database of Genes and Proteins Related to Cardiovascular Disease (Cardio)" is available at http://cardio.bjmu.edu.cn along with additional information on cardiovascular disease, supplementary materials and related figures.