MacPattern is not a normal sequence analysis program. It does not provide the standard features for, e.g., composition analysis, secondary structure prediction, etc. Instead, it supplements standard programs by offering tools that can give clues to the functions of newly discovered proteins.
MacPattern allows you to use the PROSITE and BLOCKS databases (or any other databases with the same format) for searching protein (and DNA) sequences for the occurrence of known patterns or similarities to protein blocks. You may search for all entries in the database, for selected entries or you can create “pattern sets”. In addition to its searching capabilities, MacPattern also provides an integrated, powerful database browser tool. Individual database entries can be easily accessed and the complete information stored in the database can be viewed on screen, printed, extracted to disk files, etc.
The provision of methods for identification of statistically significant sequence features is still experimental.
