Introducing the hypothome: a way to integrate predicted proteins in interactomes

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Interactomes represent experimentally verified protein-protein interactions.
• Including predicted proteins in interactomes can advance research but risks data integrity.
• Existing definitions lack a term for networks of predicted protein interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a new term, 'hypothome', for networks of predicted protein interactions.
• To differentiate hypothetical protein networks from experimentally verified interactomes.
• To enable the inclusion of predicted protein interactions without compromising data integrity.

Main Methods:

• Defined a rule-set for constructing a hypothome.
• Integrated predicted protein interaction partners into a hypothetical protein framework.
• Utilized EAW74251 as a case study for hypothome application.

Main Results:

• Established the term 'hypothome' to denote collections of hypothetical protein interactions.
• Demonstrated a method for integrating predicted protein interactions.
• Provided an example (EAW74251) illustrating the practical use of a hypothome.

Conclusions:

• The term 'hypothome' preserves the integrity of interactome definitions.
• Hypothomes facilitate research by incorporating predicted protein interactions.
• This approach supports basic science and drug discovery by expanding network analysis.