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Protein-protein interaction networks: how can a hub protein bind so many different partners?

  1. Author:
    Tsai, C. J.
    Ma, B.
    Nussinov, R.

  2. Author Address

    Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
    1. Year: 2009
    2. Date: Dec
    3. Epub Date: 10/20/2009
  2. Journal: Trends in Biochemical Sciences
    1. 34
    2. 12
    3. Pages: 594-600
  4. Type of Article: Review
  5. ISSN: 0968-0004 (Print);0968-0004 (Linking)
  1. Abstract:

    How can a single hub protein bind so many different partners? Numerous studies have sought differences between hubs and non-hubs to explain what makes a protein a hub and how a shared hub-binding site can be promiscuous, yet at the same time be specific. Here, we suggest that the problem is largely non-existent and resides in the popular representation of protein interaction networks: protein products derived from a single gene, even if different, are clustered in maps into a single node. This leads to the impression that a single protein binds to a very large number of partners. In reality, it does not; rather, protein networks reflect the combination of multiple proteins, each with a distinct conformation.

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External Sources

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  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2009.07.007
  3. PMID: 19837592

Library Notes

  1. Fiscal Year: FY2009-2010
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