BRENDA in 2026: a Global Core Biodata Resource for functional enzyme and metabolic data within the DSMZ Digital Diversity

Abstract

BRENDA (https://www.brenda-enzymes.org/), the most comprehensive enzyme and ligand database for over nearly four decades, has seen major developments since 2021, further solidifying its role as an ELIXIR Core Data Resource and Global Core Biodata Resource in the life sciences. As part of the DSMZ Digital Diversity consortium (https://hub.dsmz.de) since 2023, BRENDA has introduced a prototype knowledge graph accessible via a public SPARQL endpoint, enabling semantic search, data integration, and improved reusability in line with FAIR principles. The database now hosts ∼5.8 million data points on 112 288 enzymes from 15 335 organisms and 173 164 references, alongside 278 840 ligands. Recent updates include the manual annotation of ∼16 000 references, the addition of 615 EC numbers-480 with newly curated data-and revisions to 4422 EC classes. The curated pathway collection has expanded to 195 metabolic maps, now supported by interactive pathway summary pages that organize key information into structured, user-friendly views. BRENDA now also incorporates DSMZCellDive data, visually linking enzyme classes to high-expressing human cell lines. A new gene-centric search interface allows streamlined access to enzyme-specific data using gene symbols or identifiers. These enhancements advance BRENDA's interoperability and analytical capabilities, reinforcing its integration with major bioinformatics resources such as SILVA, BacDive, and LPSN.