What symbols should be used to represent amino acid sequences?
Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-29
This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
According to WIPO Standard ST.26, amino acids in a sequence must be represented using the one-letter codes specified in Table 3: List of Amino Acids Symbols. Key points include:
- Only uppercase letters must be used.
- Each symbol represents only one residue.
- Use the most restrictive symbol for ambiguities (e.g., “B” for Asp or Asn, not “X”).
- “X” represents any amino acid, unless further described in the feature table.
The MPEP states: “Any symbol used to represent an amino acid is the equivalent of only one residue.“
Topics:
MPEP 2400 - Biotechnology
MPEP 2412.05 - Representation And Symbols For Nucleotide And/Or Amino Acid Sequences
Patent Law
Patent Procedure