Inter-database annotation linkages in model organism databases

Inter-database linkage via annotations is one approach to the integration of knowledge in the biomedical domain, which is often fragmented by specialization. This pilot study examined annotations in ten model organism databases and the Gene Ontology (GO) to assess explicit and implicit linkages between organisms. The databases had similar annotation processes, content, and knowledge, with some variation due to organizational objectives and technology infrastructure. Types and quantities of inter-database links varied considerably, as did the target resources to which each MOD linked. While all databases had the potential to be linked to all others via GO, only some databases had explicit direct links to others, or via GO. This may be due in part to a lack of biologically significant relationships among some of the organisms, or that putative relationships between them that exist in GO have not yet been explored.