Are scale-free regulatory networks larger than random ones?

Miguel A. Fortuna; Carlos J. Melian

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arXiv · q-bio/0501027

Are scale-free regulatory networks larger than random ones?

Miguel A. Fortuna·Carlos J. Melian

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Abstract

Network of packages with regulatory interactions (dependences and conflicts) from Debian GNU/Linux operating system is compiled and used as analogy of a gene regulatory network. Using a trace-back algorithm we assembly networks from the potential pool of packages for both scale-free and exponential topology from real and a null model data, respectively. We calculate the maximum number of packages that can be functionally installed in the system (i.e., the active network size). We show that scale-free regulatory networks allow a larger active network size than random ones. Small genomes with scale-free regulatory topology could allow much more functionality than large genomes with an exponential one, with implications on its dynamics, robustness and evolution.

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Miguel A. Fortuna, Carlos J. Melian. 2005-01-19. Are scale-free regulatory networks larger than random ones?. https://arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0501027

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