InCeP: intracellular pathway based on mKIAA protein-protein interactions.

Since December 2001, we have been conducting a project to isolate and determine entire sequences of mouse KIAA cDNA clones, which encode polypeptides corresponding to human KIAA proteins. The ultimate goal of this project has been elucidation of the functions of KIAA proteins. To address this issue, we have been generating 'libraries' of antibodies against mKIAA proteins. We have, to date, already generated >800 antibodies. Using our 'libraries' of antibodies, we are now identifying endogenous mKIAA protein-protein interactions. In the present study, novel interactions were identified by MS/MS analysis following immunoprecipitation with anti-mKIAA antibodies. The interactions with biologically known molecules should enable us to predict the function of mKIAA/KIAA proteins, including hypothetical proteins identified in our cDNA project. These interactions are subsequently used for construction of an intracellular pathway related to the mKIAA protein, and the pathway is distributed through the InCeP (IntraCellular Pathway based on mKIAA protein-protein interactions) database. Users can freely access the InCeP through the internet and download the graphical display as well as the curated information.