1
$\begingroup$

"Aliases" or "Synonyms" should represent the same gene but with different names. But when I try to find the sequence of one alias and try to match with another alias they are significantly different.

During bioinformatics analysis, I need to convert NAT5 alias ID to its gene symbol ID (NAA20, NAA50). When I tried to match the sequences of NAA20 and NAA50, they are very different but still NAT5 is an alias of both NAA20 and NAA50.

I have to convert one id to another id (ENSEMBL). These gene symbol and alias is so confusing.

I am looking for NAT5 and when I search for NAT5 in ENSEMBL, it shows both NAA20 and NAA50.

From UniProt the canonical sequence of both the proteins:

https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P61599#sequences

https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9GZZ1#sequences

I am confused which one to chose?

$\endgroup$
0

2 Answers 2

5
$\begingroup$

At Ensembl, we categorise synonyms as anything that a gene might also be known as. This includes older names for them, since those names will be in the literature, including where a gene has been split in two.

$\endgroup$
2
$\begingroup$

Answer from @devon-ryan, converted from comment:

Both, that's why NAT5 is no longer a human gene symbol.

NAT5 does not equal NAA20, it's an out-dated name for it. Names change over time as people realize that there are more genes for something than originally thought.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.