VarCards2: an integrated genetic and clinical database for ACMG-AMP variant-interpretation guidelines in the human whole genome

Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Jan 5;52(D1):D1478-D1489. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkad1061.

Abstract

VarCards, an online database, combines comprehensive variant- and gene-level annotation data to streamline genetic counselling for coding variants. Recognising the increasing clinical relevance of non-coding variations, there has been an accelerated development of bioinformatics tools dedicated to interpreting non-coding variations, including single-nucleotide variants and copy number variations. Regrettably, most tools remain as either locally installed databases or command-line tools dispersed across diverse online platforms. Such a landscape poses inconveniences and challenges for genetic counsellors seeking to utilise these resources without advanced bioinformatics expertise. Consequently, we developed VarCards2, which incorporates nearly nine billion artificially generated single-nucleotide variants (including those from mitochondrial DNA) and compiles vital annotation information for genetic counselling based on ACMG-AMP variant-interpretation guidelines. These annotations include (I) functional effects; (II) minor allele frequencies; (III) comprehensive function and pathogenicity predictions covering all potential variants, such as non-synonymous substitutions, non-canonical splicing variants, and non-coding variations and (IV) gene-level information. Furthermore, VarCards2 incorporates 368 820 266 documented short insertions and deletions and 2 773 555 documented copy number variations, complemented by their corresponding annotation and prediction tools. In conclusion, VarCards2, by integrating over 150 variant- and gene-level annotation sources, significantly enhances the efficiency of genetic counselling and can be freely accessed at http://www.genemed.tech/varcards2/.

MeSH terms

  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • Databases, Factual*
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genome, Human*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Nucleotides
  • Software*

Substances

  • Nucleotides