Global Prediction of Tissue-Specific Gene Expression and Context-Dependent Gene Networks in Caenorhabditis elegans
Figure 6
Tissue-specific weighted correlation networks allow elucidation of tissue-specific gene function.
Top 20 predicted interactions partners and strongest inter-partner interactions are shown. Genes are colored according to known tissue-specific function: yellow indicates neuronal function, and red indicates involvement in a germ-line/oocyte process. (A) Neuron-specific network around exc-7. An extended SVM algorithm was used to predict tissue-specific functional interactions. Although exc-7 is best characterized as playing a role in the formation of the excretory cell, it has also been shown to regulate cholinergic synaptic transmission. Many of its functional interaction partners are consistent with this neuron-specific function. (B)Tissue-specific networks for let-60. let-60 is the homolog of mammalian Ras protein that is involved, among other processes, in chemosensation and progression through meiosis during oogenesis. The functional interaction partners identified for let-60 are completely different in the neuron and germ line networks, reflecting that this gene plays a different functional role in the context of different tissues.