Finding Partners: Emerging Protein Interaction Technologies Applied to Signaling Networks

Igor Stagljar^*

Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Summary: Signal transduction pathways play essential roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Their precise regulation is achieved through specific protein-protein interactions that mediate the assembly of protein complexes in response to different signals. Disturbances of the normal protein-protein interactions within signaling pathways can lead to many diseases, including cancer. In this review, Stagljar aims to highlight the emerging protein interaction technologies that are advancing the field of signal transduction. These approaches include stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture, SH2 profiling, target-assisted iterative screening, and the split-ubiquitin membrane yeast two-hybrid system. Although still at an early stage, these technologies show promise as useful methods for the characterization of novel components of various signal transduction pathways.

*Contact information. Telephone, +41-1-635 54 74; fax, +41-1-635 68 40; e-mail: stagljar{at}vetbio.unizh.ch

The editors suggest the following Related Resources on Science sites:

In Science Signaling

PROTOCOLS
Utilizing the Split-Ubiquitin Membrane Yeast Two-Hybrid System to Identify Protein-Protein Interactions of Integral Membrane Proteins

Kavitha Iyer, Lukas Bürkle, Daniel Auerbach, Safia Thaminy, Martin Dinkel, Kim Engels, and Igor Stagljar (15 March 2005)
Sci. STKE 2005 (275), pl3. [DOI: 10.1126/stke.2752005pl3]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

PROTOCOLS
Stable Isotope Labeling with Amino Acids in Cell Culture (SILAC) for Studying Dynamics of Protein Abundance and Posttranslational Modifications

Ramars Amanchy, Dario Eluan Kalume, and Akhilesh Pandey (18 January 2005)
Sci. STKE 2005 (267), pl2. [DOI: 10.1126/stke.2672005pl2]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES: