Analysis on degree distribution of tumor signaling networks

Abstract

Tumorigenesis is a multi-factorial and multi-step process, among which the changes in cell signaling pathways play a key role. Up till now there are fewer studies on network structure of tumor signaling pathways. In present study the degree distribution was analyzed based on thirty kinds of tumor signaling networks, including VEGF-pathway, JNK-pathway, p53-signaling, etc. The results showed that almost all of them were scale-free complex networks. Key metabolites in some tumor networks were also described.

Keywords

• tumor
• cancer
• signaling pathway
• network
• degree distribution