Integrative multi-omics module network inference with Lemon-Tree

PLoS Comput Biol. 2015 Feb 13;11(2):e1003983. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003983. eCollection 2015 Feb.

Abstract

Module network inference is an established statistical method to reconstruct co-expression modules and their upstream regulatory programs from integrated multi-omics datasets measuring the activity levels of various cellular components across different individuals, experimental conditions or time points of a dynamic process. We have developed Lemon-Tree, an open-source, platform-independent, modular, extensible software package implementing state-of-the-art ensemble methods for module network inference. We benchmarked Lemon-Tree using large-scale tumor datasets and showed that Lemon-Tree algorithms compare favorably with state-of-the-art module network inference software. We also analyzed a large dataset of somatic copy-number alterations and gene expression levels measured in glioblastoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas and found that Lemon-Tree correctly identifies known glioblastoma oncogenes and tumor suppressors as master regulators in the inferred module network. Novel candidate driver genes predicted by Lemon-Tree were validated using tumor pathway and survival analyses. Lemon-Tree is available from http://lemon-tree.googlecode.com under the GNU General Public License version 2.0.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cluster Analysis
  • Computational Biology / methods*
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / mortality
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Software*