PREDICTING FUNCTION - FROM GENES TO GENOMES AND BACK

Predicting function from sequence using computational tools is a highl y complicated procedure that is generally done for each gene individua lly. This review focuses on the added value that is provided by comple tely sequenced genomes in function prediction. Various levels of seque nce annotation and function prediction are discussed, ranging from gen omic sequence to that of complex cellular processes. Protein function is currently best described in the context of molecular interactions. In the near future it will be possible to predict protein function in the context of higher order processes such as the regulation of gene e xpression, metabolic pathways and signalling cascades. The analysis of such higher levels of function description uses, besides the informat ion from completely sequenced genomes, also the additional information from proteomics and expression data. The final goal will be to elucid ate the mapping between genotype and phenotype. (C) 1998 Academic Pres s.