DISPOT: A simple knowledge-based protein domain interaction statistical potential

Abstract

Motivation: The complexity of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is further compounded by the fact that an average protein consists of two or more domains, structurally and evolutionary independent subunits. Experimental studies have demonstrated that an interaction between a pair of proteins is not carried out by all domains constituting each protein, but rather by a select subset. However, determining which domains from each protein mediate the corresponding PPI is a challenging task. Results: Here, we present domain interaction statistical potential (DISPOT), a simple knowledge-based statistical potential that estimates the propensity of an interaction between a pair of protein domains, given their structural classification of protein (SCOP) family annotations. The statistical potential is derived based on the analysis of >352 000 structurally resolved PPIs obtained from DOMMINO, a comprehensive database of structurally resolved macromolecular interactions.