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

An interactome is defined as a network of protein-protein interactions built from experimentally verified interactions. Basic science as well as application-based research of potential new drugs can be promoted by including proteins that are only predicted into interactomes. The disadvantage of doing so is the risk of devaluing the definition of interactomes. By adding proteins that have only been predicted, an interactome can no longer be classified as experimentally verified and the integrity of the interactome will be endured. Therefore, we propose the term 'hypothome' (collection of hypothetical interactions of predicted proteins). The purpose of such a term is to provide a denotation to the interactome concept allowing the interaction of predicted proteins without devaluing the integrity of the interactome. We define a rule-set for a hypothome and have integrated the predicted protein interaction partners to the hypothetical protein. EAW74251 is an example for the usage of a hypothome.