- The IntAct molecular interaction database is an open-source, freely accessible resource dedicated to the collection, curation, and dissemination of molecular interaction data.
- Developed and maintained by the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), IntAct was created to provide the scientific community with a centralized, high-quality platform for exploring protein–protein interactions and other types of biomolecular associations. It has become one of the most trusted databases in the field, thanks to its robust curation standards, integration with other resources, and adherence to widely accepted data-sharing practices.
- A defining characteristic of IntAct is its manual curation process, in which expert biocurators systematically extract molecular interaction data from the scientific literature. Each entry in the database is supported by detailed experimental evidence, ensuring transparency and reproducibility. To maintain consistency, IntAct follows the Molecular Interaction (MI) standards established by the Human Proteome Organization’s Proteomics Standards Initiative (HUPO-PSI). These standards define controlled vocabularies and data formats that facilitate interoperability with other molecular databases, making IntAct a cornerstone of collaborative bioinformatics research.
- The IntAct database covers a wide spectrum of interaction types, including protein–protein interactions, protein–DNA interactions, protein–RNA interactions, and interactions involving small molecules. Each record is annotated with rich contextual information, such as the experimental method used (e.g., yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation, X-ray crystallography), the biological role of the interactors, and the cellular or physiological context in which the interaction was observed. This depth of annotation makes IntAct especially valuable for researchers who require detailed, experimentally supported data for functional and structural biology studies.
- IntAct also provides an intuitive web interface with powerful visualization tools, allowing users to build and explore molecular interaction networks interactively. Beyond the web portal, IntAct offers programmatic access via APIs, enabling computational biologists to integrate its datasets into large-scale network analysis pipelines. Importantly, IntAct is part of the IMEx Consortium (International Molecular Exchange Consortium), a collaborative initiative among major molecular interaction databases (including DIP, BioGRID, and MINT). This partnership ensures that curated interaction data is shared, non-redundant, and harmonized across platforms, thereby increasing its utility for the research community.
- In terms of applications, IntAct is widely used in systems biology, structural biology, and translational research. By providing high-quality molecular interaction data, it allows scientists to map signaling pathways, identify protein complexes, and investigate the molecular basis of diseases. For instance, researchers studying cancer, infectious diseases, or neurodegeneration frequently rely on IntAct to pinpoint disrupted molecular interactions and to identify potential drug targets. The inclusion of cross-links to other EBI resources, such as UniProt and Reactome, further enhances its role as a hub for integrated biological analysis.
- In summary, IntAct is a rigorously curated, standards-compliant, and collaborative molecular interaction database that plays a pivotal role in the life sciences. Its emphasis on detailed experimental evidence, broad interaction coverage, and integration within the IMEx Consortium ensures both accuracy and global accessibility. By serving as a reliable and comprehensive resource, IntAct empowers researchers to deepen their understanding of molecular networks and to translate this knowledge into biomedical insights.
