Understanding and predicting protein assemblies with 3D structures

Protein interactions are central to most biological processes, and are currently the subject of great interest. Yet despite the many recently developed methods for interaction discovery, little attention has been paid to one of the best sources of data: complexes of known three-dimensional (3D) structure. Here we discuss how such complexes can be used to study and predict protein interactions and complexes, and to interrogate interaction networks proposed by methods such as two-hybrid screens or affinity purifications.