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In cellular systems, biophysical interactions between macromolecules underlie a complex web of functional interactions. How biophysical and functional networks are coordinated, whether all biophysical interactions correspond to functional interactions, and how such biophysical‐versus‐functional network coordination is shaped by evolutionary forces are all largely unanswered questions. Here, we investigate these questions using an “inter‐interactome” approach. We systematically probed the yeast and human proteomes for interactions between proteins from these two species and functionally characterized the resulting inter‐interactome network. After a billion years of evolutionary divergence, the yeast and human proteomes are still capable of forming a biophysical network with properties that resemble those of intra‐species networks. Although substantially reduced relative to intra‐species networks, the levels of functional overlap in the yeast–human inter‐interactome network uncover significant remnants of co‐functionality widely preserved in the two proteomes beyond human–yeast homologs. Our data support evolutionary selection against biophysical interactions between proteins with little or no co‐functionality. Such non‐functional interactions, however, represent a reservoir from which nascent functional interactions may arise. Synopsis An inter‐species “inter‐interactome” was generated by systematic mapping protein–protein interactions between human and yeast proteomes. Comparisons of the inter‐species interactome with the two “parent” intra‐species human and yeast networks reveal evolutionary constraints and plasticity of biological systems. The human and yeast proteomes widely retain the ability to form inter‐species protein–protein interactions. Inter‐species interactions significantly but not exclusively correspond to ancestral binding properties preserved in human and yeast proteins. Ancestral binding properties appear to underlie conserved and species‐specific functions. Graphical Abstract An inter‐species “inter‐interactome” was generated by systematic mapping protein–protein interactions between human and yeast proteomes. Comparisons of the inter‐species interactome with the two “parent” intra‐species human and yeast networks reveal evolutionary constraints and plasticity of biological systems.

Climate change may necessitate transformative adaptation of agricultural systems. Research now indicates when and where the cultivation of key crops in sub-Saharan African will become unviable. Climate change is projected to constitute a significant threat to food security if no adaptation actions are taken 1 , 2 . Transformation of agricultural systems, for example switching crop types or moving out of agriculture, is projected to be necessary in some cases 3 , 4 , 5 . However, little attention has been paid to the timing of these transformations. Here, we develop a temporal uncertainty framework using the CMIP5 ensemble to assess when and where cultivation of key crops in sub-Saharan Africa becomes unviable. We report potential transformational changes for all major crops during the twenty-first century, as climates shift and areas become unsuitable. For most crops, however, transformation is limited to small pockets (<15% of area), and only for beans, maize and banana is transformation more widespread (∼30% area for maize and banana, 60% for beans). We envisage three overlapping adaptation phases to enable projected transformational changes: an incremental adaptation phase focused on improvements to crops and management, a preparatory phase that establishes appropriate policies and enabling environments, and a transformational adaptation phase in which farmers substitute crops, explore alternative livelihoods strategies, or relocate. To best align policies with production triggers for no-regret actions, monitoring capacities to track farming systems as well as climate are needed.

To contribute to French scientific planning in the environmental sciences, a study of major scenarios from around the world on the possible futures for the environment was made under the auspices of Alliance AllEnvi. For the more than 300 scenarios analyzed, governance and the economy turned out to be the major factors for differentiating them. Eleven families of scenarios were placed in three groups : decline, no priority for the environment, and priority for the environment. The first two groups correspond to a severely deteriorated environment, but the third has a more encouraging outcome despite the inefficiency of certain orientations. A detailed analysis of the methodology and findings is proposed while focusing on the factors “environment” and “sciences and technology”, which are decisive for AllEnvi.