Detecting protein-protein interactions in living cells: development of a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assay to evaluate the PSD-95/NMDA receptor interaction

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

The PDZ domain mediated interaction between the NMDA receptor and its intracellular scaffolding protein, PSD-95, is a potential target for treatment of ischemic brain diseases. We have recently developed a number of peptide analogues with improved affinity for the PDZ domains of PSD-95 compared to the endogenous C-terminal peptide of the NMDA receptor, as evaluated by a cell-free protein-protein interaction assay. However, it is important to address both membrane permeability and effect in living cells. Therefore a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay was established, where the C-terminal of the NMDA receptor and PDZ2 of PSD-95 were fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Renilla luciferase (Rluc) and expressed in COS7 cells. A robust and specific BRET signal was obtained by expression of the appropriate partner proteins and subsequently, the assay was used to evaluate a Tat-conjugated peptide for its ability to disrupt the PSD-95/NMDA receptor interaction in living cells.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNeurochemical Research
Volume34
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1729-1737
ISSN0364-3190
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

Keywords: BRET assay; BRET; NMDA receptor; Protein-protein interactions; PSD-95; PDZ domain

ID: 17366071