Pathway hub genes (Hub genes)

Pathway hub genes refer to genes that exhibit high connectivity within a biological network, such as a protein-protein interaction (PPI) or gene co-expression network (PMID: 29033457). These genes are considered central to the stability and function of biological pathways, often acting as master regulators of processes like signal transduction, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis (PMID: 31435445). In drug discovery, hub genes are frequently prioritized as potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers because their perturbation can significantly impact disease-related modules (PMID: 28601405). However, "Pathway hub genes" is a generic bioinformatics term rather than a specific molecular entity; the actual genes identified as hubs vary significantly depending on the disease context, tissue type, and the specific network analysis performed. While many individual hub genes (e.g., TP53 or AKT1) are valid drug targets, the broad classification itself cannot be targeted by a single therapeutic agent. Targeting hub genes often presents a therapeutic challenge because their central role in multiple pathways can lead to significant systemic toxicity or pleiotropic effects.

Other names

Hub genesNetwork hubsHighly connected genesBottleneck genes

Not applicable as this is a collective bioinformatics term rather than a single molecular target.