dotmatcher

 

Function

Displays a thresholded dotplot of two sequences

Description

A dotplot is a graphical representation of the regions of similarity between two sequences.

The two sequences are placed on the axes of a rectangular image and (subject to threshold conditions) wherever there is a similarity between the sequences a dot is placed on the image.

Where the two sequences have substantial regions of similarity, many dots align to form diagonal lines. It is therefore possible to see at a glance where there are local regions of similarity as these will have long diagonal lines. It is also easy to see other features such as repeats (which form parallel diagonal lines), and insertions or deletions (which form breaks or discontinuities in the diagonal lines).

dotmatcher uses a threshold to define whether a match is plotted (calculated from the substitution matrix). A window of specified length is moved up all possible diagonals and a score is calculated within each window for each position along the diagonals. The score is the sum of the comparisons of the two sequences using the given similarity matrix along the window. If the score is above the threshold, then a line is plotted on the image over the position of the window.

Usage

Here is a sample session with dotmatcher


% dotmatcher tsw:hba_human tsw:hbb_human -graph cps 
Displays a thresholded dotplot of two sequences
Display as data [N]: 

Created dotmatcher.ps

Go to the input files for this example
Go to the output files for this example

Command line arguments

   Mandatory qualifiers (* if not always prompted):
  [-sequencea]         sequence   Sequence USA
  [-sequenceb]         sequence   Sequence USA
*  -data               boolean    Output the match data to a file instead of
                                  plotting it
*  -graph              graph      Graph type
*  -xygraph            xygraph    Graph type
*  -outfile            outfile    Display as data

   Optional qualifiers:
   -windowsize         integer    window size over which to test threshhold
   -threshold          integer    threshold
   -matrixfile         matrix     This is the scoring matrix file used when
                                  comparing sequences. By default it is the
                                  file 'EBLOSUM62' (for proteins) or the file
                                  'EDNAFULL' (for nucleic sequences). These
                                  files are found in the 'data' directory of
                                  the EMBOSS installation.

   Advanced qualifiers:
   -stretch            boolean    Display a non-proportional graph

   General qualifiers:
  -help                boolean    Report command line options. More
                                  information on associated and general
                                  qualifiers can be found with -help -verbose


Mandatory qualifiers Allowed values Default
[-sequencea]
(Parameter 1)
Sequence USA Readable sequence Required
[-sequenceb]
(Parameter 2)
Sequence USA Readable sequence Required
-data Output the match data to a file instead of plotting it Boolean value Yes/No No
-graph Graph type EMBOSS has a list of known devices, including postscript, ps, hpgl, hp7470, hp7580, meta, colourps, cps, xwindows, x11, tektronics, tekt, tek4107t, tek, none, null, text, data, xterm, png EMBOSS_GRAPHICS value, or x11
-xygraph Graph type EMBOSS has a list of known devices, including postscript, ps, hpgl, hp7470, hp7580, meta, colourps, cps, xwindows, x11, tektronics, tekt, tek4107t, tek, none, null, text, data, xterm, png EMBOSS_GRAPHICS value, or x11
-outfile Display as data Output file <sequence>.dotmatcher
Optional qualifiers Allowed values Default
-windowsize window size over which to test threshhold Integer 3 or more 10
-threshold threshold Integer 0 or more 23
-matrixfile This is the scoring matrix file used when comparing sequences. By default it is the file 'EBLOSUM62' (for proteins) or the file 'EDNAFULL' (for nucleic sequences). These files are found in the 'data' directory of the EMBOSS installation. Comparison matrix file in EMBOSS data path EBLOSUM62 for protein
EDNAFULL for DNA
Advanced qualifiers Allowed values Default
-stretch Display a non-proportional graph Boolean value Yes/No No

Input file format

Any 2 sequence USAs of the same type (DNA or protein).

Input files for usage example

'tsw:hba_human' is a sequence entry in the example protein database 'tsw'

Database entry: tsw:hba_human

ID   HBA_HUMAN      STANDARD;      PRT;   141 AA.
AC   P01922;
DT   21-JUL-1986 (Rel. 01, Created)
DT   21-JUL-1986 (Rel. 01, Last sequence update)
DT   15-JUL-1999 (Rel. 38, Last annotation update)
DE   HEMOGLOBIN ALPHA CHAIN.
GN   HBA1 AND HBA2.
OS   Homo sapiens (Human), Pan troglodytes (Chimpanzee), and
OS   Pan paniscus (Pygmy chimpanzee) (Bonobo).
OC   Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Mammalia;
OC   Eutheria; Primates; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo.
RN   [1]
RP   SEQUENCE FROM N.A. (ALPHA-1).
RX   MEDLINE; 81088339.
RA   MICHELSON A.M., ORKIN S.H.;
RT   "The 3' untranslated regions of the duplicated human alpha-globin
RT   genes are unexpectedly divergent.";
RL   Cell 22:371-377(1980).
RN   [2]
RP   SEQUENCE FROM N.A. (ALPHA-2).
RX   MEDLINE; 81175088.
RA   LIEBHABER S.A., GOOSSENS M.J., KAN Y.W.;
RT   "Cloning and complete nucleotide sequence of human 5'-alpha-globin
RT   gene.";
RL   Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77:7054-7058(1980).
RN   [3]
RP   SEQUENCE FROM N.A. (ALPHA-2).
RX   MEDLINE; 80137531.
RA   WILSON J.T., WILSON L.B., REDDY V.B., CAVALLESCO C., GHOSH P.K.,
RA   DERIEL J.K., FORGET B.G., WEISSMAN S.M.;
RT   "Nucleotide sequence of the coding portion of human alpha globin
RT   messenger RNA.";
RL   J. Biol. Chem. 255:2807-2815(1980).
RN   [4]
RP   SEQUENCE FROM N.A. (ALPHA-1 AND ALPHA-2).
RA   FLINT J., HIGGS D.R.;
RL   Submitted (JAN-1997) to the EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ databases.
RN   [5]
RP   SEQUENCE.
RA   BRAUNITZER G., GEHRING-MULLER R., HILSCHMANN N., HILSE K., HOBOM G.,
RA   RUDLOFF V., WITTMANN-LIEBOLD B.;
RT   "The constitution of normal adult human haemoglobin.";
RL   Hoppe-Seyler's Z. Physiol. Chem. 325:283-286(1961).
RN   [6]
RP   SEQUENCE.
RA   HILL R.J., KONIGSBERG W.;
RT   "The structure of human hemoglobin: IV. The chymotryptic digestion of
RT   the alpha chain of human hemoglobin.";
RL   J. Biol. Chem. 237:3151-3156(1962).
RN   [7]


  [Part of this file has been deleted for brevity]

FT                                /FTId=VAR_002841.
FT   VARIANT     130    130       A -> D (IN YUDA; O2 AFFINITY DOWN).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002842.
FT   VARIANT     131    131       S -> P (IN QUESTEMBERT; HIGHLY UNSTABLE;
FT                                CAUSES ALPHA-THALASSEMIA).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002843.
FT   VARIANT     133    133       S -> R (IN VAL DE MARNE; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002844.
FT   VARIANT     135    135       V -> E (IN PAVIE).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002845.
FT   VARIANT     136    136       L -> M (IN CHICAGO).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002846.
FT   VARIANT     136    136       L -> P (IN BIBBA; UNSTABLE;
FT                                CAUSES ALPHA-THALASSEMIA).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002847.
FT   VARIANT     138    138       S -> P (IN ATTLEBORO; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002848.
FT   VARIANT     139    139       K -> E (IN HANAKAMI; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002849.
FT   VARIANT     139    139       K -> T (IN TOKONAME; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002850.
FT   VARIANT     140    140       Y -> H (IN ROUEN; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002851.
FT   VARIANT     141    141       R -> C (IN NUNOBIKI; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002852.
FT   VARIANT     141    141       R -> L (IN LEGNANO; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002853.
FT   VARIANT     141    141       R -> H (IN SURESNES; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002854.
FT   VARIANT     141    141       R -> P (IN SINGAPORE).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_002855.
FT   HELIX         4     35
FT   HELIX        37     42
FT   TURN         44     45
FT   TURN         50     51
FT   HELIX        53     71
FT   TURN         72     74
FT   HELIX        76     79
FT   TURN         80     80
FT   HELIX        81     89
FT   TURN         90     91
FT   TURN         95     95
FT   HELIX        96    112
FT   TURN        114    116
FT   HELIX       119    136
FT   TURN        137    139
SQ   SEQUENCE   141 AA;  15126 MW;  5EC7DB1E CRC32;
     VLSPADKTNV KAAWGKVGAH AGEYGAEALE RMFLSFPTTK TYFPHFDLSH GSAQVKGHGK
     KVADALTNAV AHVDDMPNAL SALSDLHAHK LRVDPVNFKL LSHCLLVTLA AHLPAEFTPA
     VHASLDKFLA SVSTVLTSKY R
//

Database entry: tsw:hbb_human

ID   HBB_HUMAN      STANDARD;      PRT;   146 AA.
AC   P02023;
DT   21-JUL-1986 (Rel. 01, Created)
DT   21-JUL-1986 (Rel. 01, Last sequence update)
DT   15-JUL-1999 (Rel. 38, Last annotation update)
DE   HEMOGLOBIN BETA CHAIN.
GN   HBB.
OS   Homo sapiens (Human), Pan troglodytes (Chimpanzee), and
OS   Pan paniscus (Pygmy chimpanzee) (Bonobo).
OC   Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Mammalia;
OC   Eutheria; Primates; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo.
RN   [1]
RP   SEQUENCE.
RC   SPECIES=HUMAN;
RA   BRAUNITZER G., GEHRING-MULLER R., HILSCHMANN N., HILSE K., HOBOM G.,
RA   RUDLOFF V., WITTMANN-LIEBOLD B.;
RT   "The constitution of normal adult human haemoglobin.";
RL   Hoppe-Seyler's Z. Physiol. Chem. 325:283-286(1961).
RN   [2]
RP   SEQUENCE FROM N.A.
RC   SPECIES=HUMAN;
RX   MEDLINE; 81064667.
RA   LAWN R.M., EFSTRATIADIS A., O'CONNELL C., MANIATIS T.;
RT   "The nucleotide sequence of the human beta-globin gene.";
RL   Cell 21:647-651(1980).
RN   [3]
RP   SEQUENCE OF 121-146 FROM N.A.
RC   SPECIES=HUMAN;
RX   MEDLINE; 85205333.
RA   LANG K.M., SPRITZ R.A.;
RT   "Cloning specific complete polyadenylylated 3'-terminal cDNA
RT   segments.";
RL   Gene 33:191-196(1985).
RN   [4]
RP   X-RAY CRYSTALLOGRAPHY (2.5 ANGSTROMS) OF DEOXYHEMOGLOBIN.
RC   SPECIES=HUMAN;
RX   MEDLINE; 76027820.
RA   FERMI G.;
RT   "Three-dimensional fourier synthesis of human deoxyhaemoglobin at
RT   2.5-A resolution: refinement of the atomic model.";
RL   J. Mol. Biol. 97:237-256(1975).
RN   [5]
RP   SEQUENCE.
RC   SPECIES=P.TROGLODYTES;
RX   MEDLINE; 66071496.
RA   RIFKIN D.B., KONIGSBERG W.;
RT   "The characterization of the tryptic peptides from the hemoglobin of
RT   the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).";
RL   Biochim. Biophys. Acta 104:457-461(1965).
RN   [6]


  [Part of this file has been deleted for brevity]

FT   VARIANT     140    140       A -> T (IN ST JACQUES: O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003081.
FT   VARIANT     140    140       A -> V (IN PUTTELANGE; POLYCYTHEMIA;
FT                                O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003082.
FT   VARIANT     141    141       L -> R (IN OLMSTED; UNSTABLE).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003083.
FT   VARIANT     142    142       A -> D (IN OHIO; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003084.
FT   VARIANT     143    143       H -> D (IN RANCHO MIRAGE).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003085.
FT   VARIANT     143    143       H -> Q (IN LITTLE ROCK; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003086.
FT   VARIANT     143    143       H -> P (IN SYRACUSE; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003087.
FT   VARIANT     143    143       H -> R (IN ABRUZZO; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003088.
FT   VARIANT     144    144       K -> E (IN MITO; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003089.
FT   VARIANT     145    145       Y -> C (IN RAINIER; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003090.
FT   VARIANT     145    145       Y -> H (IN BETHESDA; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003091.
FT   VARIANT     146    146       H -> D (IN HIROSHIMA; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003092.
FT   VARIANT     146    146       H -> L (IN COWTOWN; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003093.
FT   VARIANT     146    146       H -> P (IN YORK; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003094.
FT   VARIANT     146    146       H -> Q (IN KODAIRA; O2 AFFINITY UP).
FT                                /FTId=VAR_003095.
FT   HELIX         5     15
FT   TURN         16     17
FT   HELIX        20     34
FT   HELIX        36     41
FT   HELIX        43     45
FT   HELIX        51     55
FT   TURN         56     56
FT   HELIX        58     75
FT   TURN         76     77
FT   HELIX        78     94
FT   TURN         95     96
FT   TURN        100    100
FT   HELIX       101    121
FT   HELIX       124    142
FT   TURN        143    144
SQ   SEQUENCE   146 AA;  15867 MW;  EC9744C9 CRC32;
     VHLTPEEKSA VTALWGKVNV DEVGGEALGR LLVVYPWTQR FFESFGDLST PDAVMGNPKV
     KAHGKKVLGA FSDGLAHLDN LKGTFATLSE LHCDKLHVDP ENFRLLGNVL VCVLAHHFGK
     EFTPPVQAAY QKVVAGVANA LAHKYH
//

Output file format

An image is output to the requested graphics device.

Output files for usage example

Graphics File: dotmatcher.ps

[dotmatcher results]

Data files

It uses the specified matrix substitution file to compare the two sequences.

For protein sequences EBLOSUM62 is used for the substitution matrix. For nucleotide sequence, EDNAFULL is used. Others can be specified.

EMBOSS data files are distributed with the application and stored in the standard EMBOSS data directory, which is defined by EMBOSS environment variable EMBOSS_DATA.

Users can provide their own data files in their own directories. Project specific files can be put in the current directory, or for tidier directory listings in a subdirectory called ".embossdata". Files for all EMBOSS runs can be put in the user's home directory, or again in a subdirectory called ".embossdata".

The directories are searched in the following order:

Notes

None.

References

None.

Warnings

None.

Diagnostic Error Messages

None.

Exit status

0 upon successful completion.

Known bugs

None.

See also

Program nameDescription
dotpathDisplays a non-overlapping wordmatch dotplot of two sequences
dottupDisplays a wordmatch dotplot of two sequences
polydotDisplays all-against-all dotplots of a set of sequences

dottup, by comparison, has no threshold, using a wordmatch-style method. dottup is less sensitive, but substantially faster than dotmatcher.

Author(s)

This application was written by Ian Longden (il@sanger.ac.uk) Informatics Division, The Sanger Centre, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.

History

 Completed 1st June 1999. 
 Last modified 16th June 1999.

Target users

This program is intended to be used by everyone and everything, from naive users to embedded scripts.

Comments