A Mini Review of Node Centrality Metrics in Biological Networks

Survey/review study
A Mini Review of Node Centrality Metrics in Biological Networks

Mengyuan Wang 1,2, Haiying Wang 1, and Huiru Zheng 1,*


1 School of Computing, Ulster University, Belfast, BT15 1ED, United Kingdom
2 Scotland’s Rural College, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
* Correspondence: h.zheng@ulster.ac.uk
 
 
Received: 31 October 2022
Accepted: 21 November 2022
Published: 22 December 2022
 

Abstract: The diversity of nodes in a complex network causes each node to have varying significance, and the important nodes often have a significant impact on the structure and function of the network. Although the interpretation of the results of biological networks must always depend on the topological study of nodes, there is presently no consensus on how to use these metrics, and most network analyses always result in a basic interpretation of a limited number of metrics. To thoroughly comprehend biological networks, it is necessary to consistently understand the notion of node centrality. Therefore, for 10 typical nodal metrics in biological networks, the study first assesses their current applications, advantages, disadvantages as well as potential applications. Then, a review of previous studies is provided, and suggestions are made correspondingly for the purpose of improving biological topology algorithms. Finally, the following recommendations are made in this study: (1) a comprehensive and accurate assessment of node centrality necessitates the use of multiple metrics, including both the target node and its surroundings, and density of maximum neighbourhood component(DMNC) can be used as a complement to other node centrality metrics; (2) different centrality metrics can be applied to identify nodes with different functions, which in this study are mapped as modular surroundings, bridging roles, and susceptibility; and (3) the following groups of node centrality can often be verified against each other, including degree and maximum neighbourhood component (MNC), eccentricity, closeness and radiality; stress and betweenness.