Bi-correlation clustering algorithm for determining a set of co-regulated genes

Abstract

Motivation: Biclustering has been emerged as a powerful tool for identification of a group of co-expressed genes under a subset of experimental conditions (measurements) present in a gene expression dataset. Several biclustering algorithms have been proposed till date. In this article, we address some of the important shortcomings of these existing biclustering algorithms and propose a new correlation-based biclustering algorithm called bi-correlation clustering algorithm (BCCA). Results: BCCA has been able to produce a diverse set of biclusters of co-regulated genes over a subset of samples where all the genes in a bicluster have a similar change of expression pattern over the subset of samples. Moreover, the genes in a bicluster have common transcription factor binding sites in the corresponding promoter sequences. The presence of common transcription factors binding sites, in the corresponding promoter sequences, is an evidence that a group of genes in a bicluster are co-regulated. Biclusters determined by BCCA also show highly enriched functional categories. Using different gene expression datasets, we demonstrate strength and superiority of BCCA over some existing biclustering algorithms. © The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.