Three topological features of regulatory networks control life-essential and specialized subsystems.

ABSTRACT: Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) play key roles in development, phenotype plasticity, and evolution. Although graph theory has been used to explore GRNs, associations amongst topological features, transcription factors (TFs), and systems essentiality are poorly understood. Here we sought the relationship amongst the main GRN topological features that influence the control of essential and specific subsystems. We found that the K_nn, page rank, and degree are the most relevant GRN features: the ones are conserved along the evolution and are also relevant in pluripotent cells. Interestingly, life-essential subsystems are governed mainly by TFs with intermediary K_nn and high page rank or degree, whereas specialized subsystems are mainly regulated by TFs with low K_nn</

SUBMITTER: Wolf IR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8688434 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature