Evolving protein–protein interaction networks: A model based on duplication and mutation at different rates

•We present an evolutionary model of protein-protein interaction networks based on gene duplication and mutation.•Duplications and mutations occur at different rates.•Degree distribution and cluster coefficient produced by the model are consistent with the statistical properties obtained from the yeast proteome.

We present a model describing the evolution of protein–protein interaction networks. The model is based on gene duplication and mutation. Considering rates of gene duplication and mutation, the average node degree and cluster coefficient are calculated for different parameters. The predicted degree distribution and cluster coefficient are in good agreement with the observed statistical properties obtained from the analysis of the yeast proteome.