Updated
version
COGs Initial
version

Phylogenetic classification of proteins encoded in complete genomes
Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COGs) were delineated by comparing protein sequences encoded in complete genomes, representing major phylogenetic lineages. Each COG consists of individual proteins or groups of paralogs from at least 3 lineages and thus corresponds to an ancient conserved domain.
Science 1997 Oct 24;278(5338):631-7,
BMC Bioinformatics 2003 Sep 11;4(1):41.