Identifying novel fruit-related genes in Arabidopsis thaliana based on the random walk with restart algorithm

Yunhua Zhang, Li Dai, Ying Liu, YuHang Zhang, ShaoPeng Wang, Quan Zou
2017 PLoS ONE  
Fruit is essential for plant reproduction and is responsible for protection and dispersal of seeds. The development and maturation of fruit is tightly regulated by numerous genetic factors that respond to environmental and internal stimulation. In this study, we attempted to identify novel fruit-related genes in a model organism, Arabidopsis thaliana, using a computational method. Based on validated fruit-related genes, the random walk with restart (RWR) algorithm was applied on a
more » ... n interaction (PPI) network using these genes as seeds. The identified genes with high probabilities were filtered by the permutation test and linkage tests. In the permutation test, the genes that were selected due to the structure of the PPI network were discarded. In the linkage tests, the importance of each candidate gene was measured from two aspects: (1) its functional associations with validated genes and (2) its similarity with validated genes on gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathways. Finally, 255 inferred genes were obtained, subsequent extensive analysis of important genes revealed that they mainly contribute to ubiquitination (UBQ9, UBQ8, UBQ11, UBQ10), serine hydroxymethyl transfer (SHM7, SHM5, SHM6) or glycol-metabolism (HXKL2_ARATH, CSY5, GAPCP1), suggesting essential roles during the development and maturation of fruit in Arabidopsis thaliana. (2017) Identifying novel fruit-related genes in Arabidopsis thaliana based on the random walk with restart algorithm. PLoS ONE 12(5): e0177017.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0177017 pmid:28472169 pmcid:PMC5417634 fatcat:facazucuajgjdivtry2igjwmhm