Why Do Hubs in the Yeast Protein Interaction Network Tend To Be Essential: Reexamining the Connection between the Network Topology and Essentiality
2008

Why Do Hubs in the Yeast Protein Interaction Network Tend To Be Essential

Sample size: 1105 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Zotenko Elena, Mestre Julian, O'Leary Dianne P., Przytycka Teresa M.

Primary Institution: Max-Planck Institute for Informatics

Hypothesis

What is the main topological determinant of essentiality in protein interaction networks?

Conclusion

The majority of hubs are essential due to their involvement in Essential Complex Biological Modules, rather than their role in overall network connectivity.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study confirmed the centrality-lethality rule across six different protein interaction networks.
  • Essential proteins are not evenly distributed among protein complexes.
  • Membership in Essential Complex Biological Modules accounts for the enrichment of hubs in essential proteins.

Takeaway

Some proteins in yeast are very important because they are part of groups that work closely together, called Essential Complex Biological Modules.

Methodology

The study analyzed six variants of the genomewide protein interaction network for Saccharomyces cerevisiae using various centrality measures and hypothesis testing.

Potential Biases

Potential biases in the data due to the overrepresentation of essential proteins in high-degree nodes.

Limitations

The study may be limited by the biases present in the networks derived from small-scale experiments.

Participant Demographics

The study focused on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000140

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