Applications of the Yeast Two-Hybrid System

In recent years, the yeast two-hybrid system has become the method of choice for detection and analysis of protein–protein interactions in an in vivo context. This system, which capitalizes on the significant genetic history and ease of protocols for manipulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is accessible to most laboratories and is applicable to the pursuit of a large variety of experimental goals. To date, the two-hybrid system has seen widespread application for identification of interaction partners by screening methods using a particular protein of interest as a "bait." Large-scale ventures are also in progress, for example, a cataloging of interactions among the cellular proteins in yeast. However, this method also has tremendous potential for more focused analyses of specific proteins and should become more routine as an alternative or adjunct approach for many structure–function investigations.