Arabidopsis Reactome serves as a comprehensive repository of biological processes specific to Arabidopsis, encompassing pathways from fundamental metabolic processes to intricate regulations such as cell cycle regulation. While primarily focused on Arabidopsis pathways, the database also encompasses significant biological events from various other plant species, catering to the diverse research interests of numerous plant scientists. The data compilation within Arabidopsis Reactome comprises meticulously curated pathways sourced both internally and externally from the AraCyc and KEGG databases. The accuracy and reliability of the data are upheld by detailed provenance, referencing literature citations and electronic inferences based on sequence similarities. A sophisticated ontology system ensures the coherent linking of various events in their relevant spatial and temporal contexts.
The core data within Arabidopsis Reactome is sourced from experienced bench biologists specializing in the respective domains of plant biology. This information is then meticulously processed, managed, and reviewed by the dedicated Arabidopsis Reactome team at John Innes Centre, ensuring consistency and precision. Subsequently, the data undergoes further scrutiny from peer reviewers within the scientific community before being published on the online platform.
The inception of Arabidopsis Reactome was inspired by the esteemed human Reactome project, a collaborative initiative between CSHL and EBI. The extensive collection of Arabidopsis pathways within the Arabidopsis Reactome database is represented as a network of constellations within a “starry sky.” This celestial visualization aids in navigating the intricate universe of Arabidopsis reactions, revealing unexpected connections between pathways, thus offering valuable insights to researchers exploring pathways beyond their primary field of study.