Cross-attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distribution

Abstract Background Inferring Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) from gene expression data is a pivotal challenge in systems biology. Most existing methods fail to consider the skewed degree distribution of genes, complicating the application of directed graph embedding methods. Results The Cross-Atten...

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Main Authors: Jiaqi Xiong, Nan Yin, Shiyang Liang, Haoyang Li, Yingxu Wang, Duo Ai, Jingjie Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Bioinformatics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12859-025-06186-1
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author Jiaqi Xiong
Nan Yin
Shiyang Liang
Haoyang Li
Yingxu Wang
Duo Ai
Jingjie Wang
author_facet Jiaqi Xiong
Nan Yin
Shiyang Liang
Haoyang Li
Yingxu Wang
Duo Ai
Jingjie Wang
author_sort Jiaqi Xiong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Inferring Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) from gene expression data is a pivotal challenge in systems biology. Most existing methods fail to consider the skewed degree distribution of genes, complicating the application of directed graph embedding methods. Results The Cross-Attention Complex Dual Graph Embedding Model (XATGRN) was proposed to address this issue. It employs a cross-attention mechanism and a dual complex graph embedding approach to manage the skewed degree distribution, ensuring precise prediction of regulatory relationships and their directionality. The model consistently outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods across various datasets. Conclusions XATGRN provides an effective solution for inferring GRNs with skewed degree distribution, enhancing the understanding of complex gene regulatory mechanisms. The codes and detailed requirements have been released on Github: ( https://github.com/kikixiong/XATGRN ).
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id doaj-art-d58205548a6743d9a39246f2e841fb46
institution Kabale University
issn 1471-2105
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Bioinformatics
spelling doaj-art-d58205548a6743d9a39246f2e841fb462025-08-20T04:02:42ZengBMCBMC Bioinformatics1471-21052025-07-0126112110.1186/s12859-025-06186-1Cross-attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distributionJiaqi Xiong0Nan Yin1Shiyang Liang2Haoyang Li3Yingxu Wang4Duo Ai5Jingjie Wang6Aberdeen Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, South China Normal UniversityDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Internal Medicine, The No. 944 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLAAberdeen Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, South China Normal UniversityDepartment of Machine Learning, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical UniversityDepartment of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical UniversityAbstract Background Inferring Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) from gene expression data is a pivotal challenge in systems biology. Most existing methods fail to consider the skewed degree distribution of genes, complicating the application of directed graph embedding methods. Results The Cross-Attention Complex Dual Graph Embedding Model (XATGRN) was proposed to address this issue. It employs a cross-attention mechanism and a dual complex graph embedding approach to manage the skewed degree distribution, ensuring precise prediction of regulatory relationships and their directionality. The model consistently outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods across various datasets. Conclusions XATGRN provides an effective solution for inferring GRNs with skewed degree distribution, enhancing the understanding of complex gene regulatory mechanisms. The codes and detailed requirements have been released on Github: ( https://github.com/kikixiong/XATGRN ).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12859-025-06186-1Gene regulatory networkDirect graph embeddingCross attention network
spellingShingle Jiaqi Xiong
Nan Yin
Shiyang Liang
Haoyang Li
Yingxu Wang
Duo Ai
Jingjie Wang
Cross-attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distribution
BMC Bioinformatics
Gene regulatory network
Direct graph embedding
Cross attention network
title Cross-attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distribution
title_full Cross-attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distribution
title_fullStr Cross-attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distribution
title_full_unstemmed Cross-attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distribution
title_short Cross-attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distribution
title_sort cross attention graph neural networks for inferring gene regulatory networks with skewed degree distribution
topic Gene regulatory network
Direct graph embedding
Cross attention network
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12859-025-06186-1
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AT nanyin crossattentiongraphneuralnetworksforinferringgeneregulatorynetworkswithskeweddegreedistribution
AT shiyangliang crossattentiongraphneuralnetworksforinferringgeneregulatorynetworkswithskeweddegreedistribution
AT haoyangli crossattentiongraphneuralnetworksforinferringgeneregulatorynetworkswithskeweddegreedistribution
AT yingxuwang crossattentiongraphneuralnetworksforinferringgeneregulatorynetworkswithskeweddegreedistribution
AT duoai crossattentiongraphneuralnetworksforinferringgeneregulatorynetworkswithskeweddegreedistribution
AT jingjiewang crossattentiongraphneuralnetworksforinferringgeneregulatorynetworkswithskeweddegreedistribution