Protein-protein interaction networks: how can a hub protein bind so many different partners?
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.
Tsai
Chung-Jung
CJ
Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Ma
Buyong
B
Nussinov
Ruth
R
D008954:Models, Biological; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D011506:Proteins