Modular co-evolution of metabolic networks

Background: The architecture of biological networks has been reported to exhibit high level of modularity, and to some extent, topological modules of networks overlap with known functional modules. However, how the modular topology of the molecular network affects the evolution of its member proteins remains unclear. Results: In this work, the functional and evolutionary modularity of Homo sapiens (H. sapiens) metabolic network were investigated from a topological point of view. Network decomposition shows that the metabolic network is organized in a highly modular core-periphery way, in which the core modules are tightly linked together and perform basic metabolism functions, whereas the periphery modules only interact with few modules and accomplish relatively independent and specialized functions. Moreover, over half of the modules exhibit co-evolutionary feature and belong to specific evolutionary ages. Peripheral modules tend to evolve more cohesively and faster than core modules...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2007
• Where: BMCBI
• Authors: Jing Zhao, Guohui Ding, Lin Tao, Hong Yu, Zhong-Hao Yu, Jianhua Luo, Zhi-Wei Cao, Yi-Xue Li
• Keywords: BMCBI 2007, Functional Modules, Metabolic Networks, Topological Modules