PROTEIN BIOCHEMISTRY Protein Interaction Methods - Toward an Endgame

T housands of new protein-protein interactions have been identified through the use of the two-hybrid system, shedding much light on molecular and celh lar biology. In the next decade, we can hope to see large catalogs of protein interactions predictive models of those .inteJ'acliolls, aud at lea tome ability to follow networks of those i.nteractions in real time. Here, we review newer methods that may get us closer to this goal. These include descendants of conventional two-hybrid methods, other method that rely on reconstitution of biochemical function in vivo. fluorescence resonance energy trans~ fer methods, protein mass spectrometry, and evan~scent wave methods. Taken together these method will help reveal not only tbe partner of particular proteins, but IlOW lightly the interacting proteins touch Olle another, which slIrfaces they use to make contact, and where and when in tiving cells those .contacts occur. Willi these m thods, entire networks of interacting proteins can be analyzed.