Split-Tobacco Etch Virus (Split-TEV) Method in G Protein-Coupled Receptor Interacting Proteins.

Split-TEV assay enables the identification of protein-protein interaction in mammalian cells. This method is based on the split of tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease in two fragments, where each fragment is fused to the candidate proteins predicted to interact. If there is indeed an interaction between both proteins, TEV protease reconstitutes its proteolytic activity and this activity is used to induce the expression of some reporter genes. However, some studies have detected unspecific interaction between membrane proteins due to its higher tendency to aggregate. Here we describe a variation of the Split-TEV method developed with the aim to increase the specificity in the study of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) interacting proteins. This approach for monitoring interactions between GPCRs is an easy and robust assay and offers good perspectives in drug discovery.