Database of Interacting Proteins

Database of Interacting Proteins (DIP)

The Database of Interacting Proteins (DIP) is a biological database that catalogs experimentally determined interactions between proteins. The DIP database provides a comprehensive resource for studying protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and is widely used in the fields of bioinformatics, systems biology, and molecular biology.

Overview

The DIP database was created to facilitate the understanding of the complex web of interactions that occur within a cell. By compiling data from various experimental techniques, such as yeast two-hybrid screening, co-immunoprecipitation, and protein microarrays, DIP provides a valuable resource for researchers studying the proteome.

Data Collection

Data in the DIP database is collected from published scientific literature and high-throughput experimental methods. Each interaction is curated and validated by experts to ensure accuracy. The database includes information on the interacting proteins, the type of interaction, and the experimental methods used to detect the interaction.

Features

The DIP database offers several features to facilitate the study of protein interactions:

• **Search Functionality**: Users can search for interactions by protein name, gene name, or interaction type.
• **Visualization Tools**: DIP provides tools for visualizing protein interaction networks, allowing researchers to see how proteins interact within the context of the entire proteome.
• **Downloadable Data**: Researchers can download interaction data for further analysis using their own computational tools.

Applications

The data provided by the DIP database is used in various applications, including:

• **Drug Discovery**: Identifying potential drug targets by understanding protein interaction networks.
• **Disease Research**: Studying the role of protein interactions in diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases.
• **Functional Genomics**: Understanding the functional roles of proteins within the cell.

Related Databases

Several other databases complement the DIP database by providing additional information on protein interactions and related topics:

• STRING database
• BioGRID
• IntAct
• MINT database

Access and Availability

The DIP database is freely accessible to the scientific community. Users can access the database through its web interface, which provides tools for searching, visualizing, and downloading interaction data.

See Also

• Protein-protein interaction
• Proteomics
• Bioinformatics
• Systems biology

External Links

• [DIP Database]