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Molecular interactions provide a valuable resource for the elucidation of cellular function, and protein interaction studies have been the focus of much recent biomolecular research. Experiments vary from large-scale systems that generate sizeable datasets, for example two-hybrid systems or tandem affinity purification, to an in-depth analysis of a single interaction in which the interacting domains, or even the individual amino acid residues, can be identified.

 

However, much of the data generated from such experiments is fragmented across the literature, stored in author-specific local databases or on web pages. Consequently, data are lost as these services are withdrawn from usage. At best, the high degree of incompatibility between different protein-interaction data sets makes it difficult, if not impossible, to analyse all the available data. The goal of the IntAct project www.ebi.ac.uk/intact"www.ebi.ac.uk/intact) is to provide a central, public repository where all such information can be stored and accessed.

IntAct is populated both with experimental data and with data from the scientific literature. Its main focus is protein–protein interactions but it also contains information on protein–nucleic-acid and protein–small-molecule interactions. IntAct is a member of the International Molecular Exchange Consortium (see Box 1), which orchestrates the regular exchange of molecular interaction data among the major providers of this type of information.

The database makes extensive use of controlled vocabularies, which allow consistent description of the experimental detail that was used to generate the data. To support generalised queries, these vocabularies have a hierarchical structure and, where possible, existing reference systems such as the NCBI taxonomy database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/taxonomyhome.html/) or the Gene Ontology (www.geneontology.org) are used.

In addition, IntAct provides a complete, open source database and analysis system for protein interactions: it can be locally installed and adapted to the needs of the local organisation. This reduces development time and encourages researchers to build consistent interaction datasets by using the same infrastructure and annotation system.

 

 

 

What can I do with IntAct?

Find all the proteins that interact with your protein of interest.
Probe more deeply into individual experiments to gain both a degree of confidence in the specific interaction and its functional consequence. Graphically display interaction networks. Analyse interaction networks using GO terms and InterPro domains or families. Visualise minimal connecting networks for protein sets. Download data in PSI-MI format. Install the complete IntAct system locally — it’s free and open source.

 

Submitting data to IntAct.

IntAct actively encourages the submission of data from external users, particularly if the submitter intends to publish all or part of the information in question. An accession number will be supplied for inclusion in a paper, and the data can be held in confidence until the publication date. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in using this service and our curators will discuss the most appropriate submission format with you.

 

Retrieving data from IntAct.

Quick Search
Simply type in the protein name, gene name, PubMed ID or UniProt accession number of your protein of interest and choose either: a binary view showing all known interacting partners and a minimum textual description; or an experiment view, which gives details of the experimental information supporting any given interaction.
Both views allow the selection of specific proteins to display them in a graphical view. This shows proteins in the context of their local interaction networks and can be expanded, either globally or around specific proteins of interest.

 

Advanced search
Search for specific objects (e.g.
controlled vocabulary terms, proteins, interactions or experiments) using a wide range of different criteria, including accession numbers, descriptions, database cross-references, experimental methods and interaction types.

 

Data download

The IntAct project co-develops and supports the PSI-MI standard (see Box 2) and provides both a web service and a simple URL-based interface that allow direct computational access to retrieve interaction networks in PSI-MI XML formatwww.ebi.ac.uk/intact/