Detecting hierarchical modularity in biological networks

Methods Mol Biol. 2009:541:145-60. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-243-4_7.

Abstract

Spatially or chemically isolated modules that carry out discrete functions are considered fundamental building blocks of cellular organization. However, detecting them in highly integrated biological networks requires a thorough understanding of the organization of these networks. In this chapter I argue that many biological networks are organized into many small, highly connected topologic modules that combine in a hierarchical manner into larger, less cohesive units. On top of a scale-free degree distribution, these networks show a power law scaling of the clustering coefficient with the node degree, a property that can be used as a signature of hierarchical organization. As a case study, I identify the hierarchical modules within the Escherichia coli metabolic network, and show that the uncovered hierarchical modularity closely overlaps with known metabolic functions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Computational Biology / methods*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / physiology*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*