A Bacterial/yeast Merged Two-hybrid System: Protocol for Bacterial Screening

Yeast two-hybrid systems are artificial genetic systems that allow identification and characterization of protein-protein interactions. One common limit to the use of these techniques is when the intrinsic property of "bait" proteins of interest transcriptionally autoactivates reporters, eliminating the basis for interaction detection. To circumvent this problem, autoactivating baits can be alternatively used in bacteria wherein such activation does not occur. A single-vector system has been developed, which can be used either in yeast or in bacteria, streamlining and expanding capacity for protein-protein interaction screens. A concise proposal is provided for use of this system in bacteria; a companion article, chapter 15, describes use of the system in yeast.