title: Visualizing protein interactions by bimolecular fluorescence complementation in Xenopus.
abstract: Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) provides a simple and direct way to visualise protein-protein interactions in vivo and in real-time. In this article, we describe methods by which one can implement this approach in embryos of the South African claw-toed frog Xenopus laevis. We have made use of Venus, an improved version of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), so as to achieve rapid detection of protein interactions. To suppress spontaneous interactions between the N- and C-terminal fragments of Venus, a point mutation (T153M) was introduced into the N-terminal fragment. We have used this reagent to monitor signalling by members of the transforming growth factor type beta family in cells of the Xenopus embryo.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Research Institute, CNRS USR3078, Institut de Biologie de Lille, 1 rue du Professeur Calmette, Lille Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saka
authors.forename: Anja I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Hagemann
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D012107:Research Design; D051899:Smad2 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051901:Smad4 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D051899:Smad2 Protein; C497785:Smad2 protein, Xenopus; D051901:Smad4 Protein; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D028341:Activins