HADb

HADb (Human Autophagy Database) is a specialized public repository that systematically catalogues human genes experimentally verified to be involved in autophagy. Autophagy, a lysosomal degradation pathway, refers to the cellular process in which cytoplasmic components are sequestered into double-membrane vesicles and delivered to lysosomes for breakdown. This pathway is fundamental for removing damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, and intracellular pathogens, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis, enabling adaptation to nutrient stress, and supporting differentiation and development. Dysregulation of autophagy has been linked to numerous diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases, and metabolic conditions. The HADb serves as a centralized resource for researchers aiming to explore the genetic landscape of autophagy in humans. The database collates genes from published literature and high-throughput studies, providing curated entries that include gene symbols, official names, chromosomal locations, protein functions, and relevant PubMed references. Each entry is annotated with evidence indicating whether the gene product is directly involved in the autophagic machinery (e.g., ATG proteins) or acts as a regulator, receptor, or effector. The database supports keyword-based search, allowing users to query by gene name, symbol, or description. Additionally, a submission interface enables researchers to contribute new genes or update existing information, ensuring the repository remains current as new discoveries emerge. The web interface organizes content into intuitive sections: Home introduces the database and its purpose; About provides background on autophagy; Database lists all curated genes with sorting and filtering options; Su