Local Control: a Hub-Based Model for the C-Di-gmp Network

ABSTRACT The genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens encodes >50 proteins predicted to play a role in bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP)-mediated biofilm formation. We built a network representation of protein–protein interactions and extracted key information via multidimensional scaling (i.e., principal component analysis) of node centrality measures, which measure features of proteins in a network. Proteins of different domain types (diguanylate cyclase, dual domain, phosphodiesterase, PilZ) exhibit unique network behavior and can be accurately classified by their network centrality values (i.e., roles in the network). The predictive power of protein–protein interactions in biofilm formation indicates the possibility of localized pools of c-di-GMP. A regression model showed a statistically significant impact of protein–protein interactions on the extent of biofilm formation in various environments. These results highlight the importance of a localized c-di-GMP signaling, extend our understanding of signaling by this second messenger beyond the current “Bow-tie Model,” support a newly proposed “Hub Model,” and suggest future avenues of investigation.