A clustering algorithm for identifying hierarchical and overlapping protein complexes in large PPI networks

With the development of high-throughput technique, protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are increasing fast and available conveniently, which make it possible to identify protein complexes in PPI network[1-7]. Many evidences have demonstrated that protein complexes are overlapping and hierarchically organized in PPI networks[8-9], which requires protein complex detection methods can identify both overlapping and hierarchical protein complexes in a PPI network. Meanwhile, the large size of PPI network requires protein complex detection methods based on PPI network running fast. Up to now, few methods can achieve all above requirements.