DETECTION OF MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS BY REPORTER SUBUNIT COMPLEMENTATION

摘要

Methods and compositions for detecting molecular interactions, particularlyprotein-protein interactions, are provided. The invention allows detection ofsuch interactions in living cells or in vitro. Detection of molecularinteractions in living cells is not limited to the nuclear compartment, butcan be accomplished in the cytoplasm, cell surface, organelles, or betweenthese entities. In one embodiment, the method utilizes novel compositionscomprising fusion proteins between the molecules of interest and two or moreinactive, weakly-complementing .beta.-galactosidase mutants. Associationbetween the molecules of interest brings the complementing .beta.-galactosidase mutants into proximity so that complementation occurs and active.beta.-galactosidase is produced. The active .beta.-galactosidase may bedetected by methods well-known in the art. Among the uses of the invention arethe study of protein-protein interactions, functional genomics, agonist andantagonist screening and drug discovery.