Even at the molecular level, the same molecular structure (e.g., a protein) may participate in different functions, either because one copy of that protein encompasses functionally distinct domains or because more copies of that protein serve distinct functions (for instance, in different sub-cellular components).
The application of such function-based measures is disputable for various reasons: (i) only few proteins have been characterized in depth; (ii) proteins can perform more than one function; (iii) proteins are frequently part of complexes and thus participate in different functions; (iv) paralogs can accomplish the same function; and (v) orthologs can diverge functionally [ 2].
While it is true that different brain regions tend to specialize in different functions, like language or face recognition, Dr. Sejnowski said, these areas are very changeable and not hard-wired modules.
In previous studies (Brunelli and Rovere-Querini, 2008; Chazaud et al., 2009; Kharraz et al., 2013), macrophages are a heterogeneous population involved in different functions at various stages after damage.
Additionally, a series of mature RPE marker genes, including Best1, Cralbp, Pedf, and Tyrp2, were also dramatically induced in Best1::GFP+ cells directly converted from HFF, and notably these genes are involved in different functions of RPE, e.g. vitamin A metabolism, pigment synthesis and growth factor secretion etc. (Strauss, 2005) (Fig. 5C).
In addition to identifying neurons that have been already empirically implicated in different functions (which serve as a verification of our method), we also predict several neurons which can be potentially crucial for certain, as yet unidentified, functions.
