基因调控网络表现的是大量基因受到转录因子的调控而最终转录翻译为蛋白质进而实现生物功能的复杂信息, 是人们理解生物过程和基因功能的重要内容。为了理解基因调控网络中的调控机理, 网络的拓扑结构及其组织方式是极其重要的研究内容之一。它不仅能说明网络的局部特征, 并且能揭示调控网络的构造方法, 同时还能对调控信号通路进行全面系统的分析。调控网络可分为4层结构: 调控元件、Motif、模块和整个网络。当前, 这种层次结构受到人们越来越多的认可。文中重点讨论motif和模块两层, 比较分析了近年来对网络组织结构的多方面研究内容, 阐述了各个研究结果与结论具有的生物学意义, 并指出了其中存在的问题。在此基础上, 文中还针对这些问题提出了可能存在的研究方向, 并展望了基因调控网络模块化组织的研究前景。

Gene regulatory network is the complex regulatory information between a lot of genes which was regulated by some transcriptional factors and carried out biological function with expressing relation proteins at last, it is very important for researchers to understand biological processes and gene function. To understand regulatory mechanism of gene in regulatory network, it is necessary to research topological structure and organization. It not only can illuminate the local characters of the network, but also can reveal the constructing methods of it, what’s more, the research work can also analyze regulatory pathway completely and systemically. Now, more and more researchers approbate the hierarchy structure of gene regulatory network. Here, we discuss the middle two level of the hierarchy: motif and module, and then compare various research on network organization brought out within several years, explaining the biology signification of each one, giving out the disadvantages and problems. Basing on the problems, we also bring up some possible research direction, and then paint the prospect of gene regulatory network modular organization.