Open AccessThe evolution of protein interaction networks in regulatory proteins
Author(s) -
Amoutzias Gregory D.,
Robertson David L.,
BornbergBauer Erich
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
comparative and functional genomics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1532-6268
pISSN - 1531-6912
DOI - 10.1002/cfg.365
Subject(s) - transcription factor , gene duplication , gene , computational biology , biology , interaction network , gene regulatory network , genetics , protein interaction networks , protein–protein interaction , gene expression
Interactions between proteins are essential for intracellular communication. They form complex networks which have become an important source for functional analysis of proteins. Combining phylogenies with network analysis, we investigate the evolutionary history of interaction networks from the bHLH, NR and bZIP transcription‐factor families. The bHLH and NR networks show a hub‐like structure with varying γ values. Mutation and gene duplication play an important role in adding and removing interactions. We conclude that in several of the protein families that we have studied, networks have primarily arisen by the development of heterodimerizing transcription factors, from an ancestral gene which interacts with any of the newly emerging proteins but also homodimerizes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.