Hub genes

Hub genes are defined in systems biology as genes that possess a high degree of connectivity within a biological network, such as a gene co-expression or protein-protein interaction network (Langfelder & Horvath, 2008). These genes are considered central components of biological modules and are often essential for the maintenance of cellular functions and the regulation of complex signaling pathways (PubMed, 2021). In the context of disease research, hub genes are frequently identified through computational methods like Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to pinpoint key drivers of pathogenesis (NIH, 2023). While individual genes identified as hubs (e.g., TP53 or AKT1) can be therapeutic targets, the term "hub genes" itself refers to a topological property in network theory rather than a specific protein or receptor. Consequently, it is not a single druggable entity but a classification used to prioritize candidates for further experimental validation. Targeting these central nodes in a network often presents significant challenges, as their high connectivity means that pharmacological intervention may result in widespread pleiotropic effects (Nature, 2020).

Other names

Highly connected genesNetwork hubsKey driver genesIntramodular hubs