Cited by 141Bioinformatics and Genomic NetworksProtein Structure and DynamicsGene Regulatory Network Analysis

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

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Tsai, Chung-Jung, Ma, Buyong, Nussinov, Ruth·2009·Trends in Biochemical Sciences

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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Crossref · 10.1016/j.tibs.2009.07.007

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Authors
Tsai, C.-J., Ma, B., & Nussinov, R.
Affiliations
  • National Cancer Institute (US)
  • Tel Aviv University (IL)
Corresponding author
Nussinov, Ruth
Venue
Trends in Biochemical Sciences
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-12
Volume
34
Issue
12
Pages
594-600
ISSN
0968-0004 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1998203484
Cited by
138
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 12
FWCI
0.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Trends in Biochemical Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (HHSN261200800001C)
  • National Cancer Institute (Z01BC010440, HHSN261200800001E))
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bioinformatics and Genomic Networks
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Structure and Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gene Regulatory Network Analysis
Keywords
protein-protein interaction network, hub proteins, binding promiscuity, binding specificity, protein conformation, network representation, protein clustering
MeSH terms
Models, Biological, Protein Binding, Proteins

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