This figure shows the components of the "CFTR interactome"—the interacting network of proteins involved in the normal folding, trafficking, and function of CFTR—based on the advanced technology proteomic study by the Balch and Yates groups. Each protein is depicted as a "node"—these are the blue ovals in the network. Straight blue lines are "edges" in the network that show functional connections between the proteins. These edges are defined using both laboratory (biochemical) and bioinformatics (data-mining World Wide Web resources) approaches. The network also includes important proteins previously identified by other cystic fibrosis investigators. A subset of these proteins involved in folding of CFTR at the endoplasmic reticulum do not function properly when they encounter mutant CFTR, setting the stage for cystic fibrosis disease. By correcting activities associated with early acting nodes in the network, many other nodes are likely to return to normal function given the "connectivity" of the pathways.