iTraNet: a web-based platform for integrated trans-omics network visualization and analysis

Area of Science:

• Systems biology
• Bioinformatics
• Computational biology

Background:

• Understanding biological systems relies on analyzing diverse molecular networks, including gene regulatory, protein-protein interaction, and metabolic networks.
• Analyzing these networks is complex due to varied databases and intricate analysis methods.
• Metabolic networks involve substrates, products, and enzymes, influenced by allosteric regulation and gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a web application, iTraNet, for visualizing and analyzing integrated trans-omics networks.
• To investigate differences in molecular responses to glucose administration in wild-type versus obese (ob/ob) mice using network analysis.

Main Methods:

• Development of iTraNet, a web application integrating gene regulatory, protein-protein interaction, metabolic, and metabolite exchange networks.
• Application of iTraNet to analyze trans-omics data from wild-type and ob/ob mice.
• Comparative analysis of network hub molecule responses to glucose administration.

Main Results:

• iTraNet successfully visualizes and analyzes integrated trans-omics networks.
• In wild-type mice, key network molecules responded to glucose administration.
• This response pattern was absent in ob/ob mice, indicating altered metabolic regulation.

Conclusions:

• iTraNet provides a valuable tool for researchers to explore complex biological networks.
• Network analysis using iTraNet can revealSystemic differences in physiological responses, such as those related to obesity and glucose metabolism.
• The findings highlight potential disruptions in molecular signaling pathways in obesity.