Far Western blotting as a rapid and efficient method for detecting interactions between DNA replication and DNA repair proteins.

Protein-protein interactions are required for the proper function of many biological pathways. Numerous biochemical and protein blotting methods are available for probing direct and indirect interactions between two protein-binding partners. Here, we describe the methodology of far Western blotting, or immunodot blotting, as a technique for probing direct interactions between two proteins. We describe the utility of this approach as a rapid, qualitative screen for identifying novel protein-binding partners. We also describe the importance of this technique for measuring differences in interaction between wild-type and mutant forms of a known binding partner. Far Western blotting is a rapid and highly reproducible experimental approach for identifying and understanding the interaction between protein-binding partners leading to new discoveries in the function and regulation of biological pathways.