tooluniverse-protein-interactions
Protein Interaction Network Analysis
Comprehensive protein interaction network analysis using ToolUniverse tools. Analyzes protein networks through a 4-phase workflow: identifier mapping, network retrieval, enrichment analysis, and optional structural data.
Domain Reasoning: Interaction Type Clarification
When asked about protein interactions, ask: physical interaction (do they bind?) or functional interaction (do they affect the same pathway)? STRING combines both — a high combined_score does not mean physical binding. For physical binding evidence, check the experimental score (escore) specifically. A high tscore (text mining) or dscore (database) with a low escore suggests co-annotation or co-citation, not direct binding.
LOOK UP DON'T GUESS: protein interaction scores, experimental evidence types, and whether two specific proteins have known co-crystal structures. Use STRING escore and BioGRID experimental data — do not infer binding from pathway co-membership alone.
Databases Used
| Database | Coverage | API Key | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| STRING | 14M+ proteins, 5,000+ organisms | Not required | Primary interaction source |
| BioGRID | 2.3M+ interactions, 80+ organisms | Required | Fallback, curated data |
| SASBDB | 2,000+ SAXS/SANS entries | Not required | Solution structures |