  Viral fusion proteins are attached to the membrane of enveloped viruses (a
group that includes Coronaviruses, Dengue, HIV and Influenza) and catalyze
fusion between the viral and host membranes, enabling the virus to insert its
genetic material into the host cell. Given the importance of these
biomolecules, this work presents a centralized database containing the most
relevant information on viral fusion proteins, available through a free-to-use
web server accessible through the URL https://viralfp.bio.di.uminho.pt/. This
web application contains several bioinformatic tools, such as Clustal sequence
alignment and Weblogo, including as well a machine learning-based tool capable
of predicting the location of fusion peptides (the component of fusion proteins
that inserts into the host's cell membrane) within the fusion protein sequence.
Given the crucial role of these proteins in viral infection, their importance
as natural targets of our immune system and their potential as therapeutic
targets, this web application aims to foster our ability to fight pathogenic
viruses.
