Analysis of the dimerization of human CD99 using bimolecular fluorescence complementation technique.

Two isoforms of human CD99 have been identified, but only heterotypic interaction between the isomers was recently demonstrated. In this study, we performed bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis to further characterize the interaction in vivo. Upon transiently transfecting plasmids expressing either of the two isoforms fused with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fragments, all the YFPtagged CD99 molecules were properly localized on cell surfaces, and formed fluorescent dimers. Interestingly, however, unlike the previous report, the homodimers formed as efficiently as the heterodimer via their extracellular domains, implying its distinct regulatory role through modulating the complex profile.