Insights into gene tissue specificity and protein–protein interactions in the context of purifying selection in humans. (27th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mezzavilla, Massimo; Cocca, Massimiliano
• Is Part Of: Annals of human genetics. Volume 87:Number 1/2(2023)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2023-01-27
• Subjects: protein–protein interactions -- purifying selection -- tissue specificity; Human genetics -- Periodicals; 599.935
• DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12497
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4800

Abstract

Abstract: Background: How much are natural selection and gene characteristics, such as the number of protein‐protein interactions (PPIs), tissue specificity (𝞽), and expression level, connected? Methods: In order to investigate these relationships, we combined different metrics linked to genetic constraints and analyzed their distribution concerning PPIs, 𝞽 and expression levels. Results: We discovered a positive correlation between genetic constraints, PPIs, and expression levels in all tissues. On the other hand, we obtained a negative correlation between genetic constraints and 𝞽. Furthermore, the fraction of variance in PPI and 𝞽 explained by the constraints metrics is around 6% and 10%, respectively. Conclusions: We observed that the variance of expression of tissue‐specific genes seems not related to their level of selection constraints, which is the opposite of what is found on non‐tissue‐specific genes. Overall these observations would help to elucidate the relationship between natural selection and gene features.