Protein networks in disease

Genome Res. 2008 Apr;18(4):644-52. doi: 10.1101/gr.071852.107.

Abstract

During a decade of proof-of-principle analysis in model organisms, protein networks have been used to further the study of molecular evolution, to gain insight into the robustness of cells to perturbation, and for assignment of new protein functions. Following these analyses, and with the recent rise of protein interaction measurements in mammals, protein networks are increasingly serving as tools to unravel the molecular basis of disease. We review promising applications of protein networks to disease in four major areas: identifying new disease genes; the study of their network properties; identifying disease-related subnetworks; and network-based disease classification. Applications in infectious disease, personalized medicine, and pharmacology are also forthcoming as the available protein network information improves in quality and coverage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Disease / classification
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Interaction Mapping*
  • Yeasts / metabolism

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins