An optimized split-ubiquitin cDNA-library screening system to identify novel interactors of the human Frizzled 1 receptor

Nucleic Acids Res. 2008 Apr;36(6):e37. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkm1163. Epub 2008 Mar 4.

Abstract

The yeast split-ubiquitin system has previously been shown to be suitable to detect protein interactions of membrane proteins and of transcription factors in vivo. Therefore, this technology complements the classical split-transcription factor based yeast two-hybrid system (Y2H). Success or failure of the Y2H depends primarily on the ability to avoid false-negative and false-positive hits that become a limiting factor for the value of the system, especially in large scale proteomic analyses. We provide here a systematic assessment of parameters to help improving the quality of split-ubiquitin cDNA-library screenings. We experimentally defined the optimal 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA) concentration as a key parameter to increase the reproducibility of interactions and, at the same time, to keep non-specific background growth low. Furthermore, we show that the efficacy of the 5-FOA selection is modulated by the plating density of the yeast clones. Moreover, a reporter-specific class of false-positive hits was identified, and a simple phenotypic assay for efficient de-selection was developed. We demonstrate the application of this improved system to identify novel interacting proteins of the human Frizzled 1 receptor. We identified several novel interactors with components of the Wnt-Frizzled signalling pathways and discuss their potential roles as direct mediators of Frizzled receptor signalling. The present work is the first example of a split-ubiquitin interaction screen using an in-situ expressed receptor of the serpentine class, emphasizing the suitability of the described improvements in the screening protocol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Frizzled Receptors / genetics
  • Frizzled Receptors / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Library
  • Humans
  • Orotic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Orotic Acid / pharmacology
  • Phenotype
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Protein Interaction Mapping / methods*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / analysis
  • Ubiquitin / genetics*
  • Yeasts / drug effects
  • Yeasts / genetics

Substances

  • FZD1 protein, human
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Ubiquitin
  • Orotic Acid
  • 5-fluoroorotic acid