Protein-Protein Interaction map for Proteins involved in Stress Response

Despite the impact of stress activated signalling pathways on the pathology of a number of human diseases such as chronic inflammation, heart disease, stroke, the moleucular details of these pathways have just begun to be known. The p38 MAP kinase signal ling pathway is activated by environmental stress and inflammatory cytokines. Specific protein-protein interactions are believed to be important to ensure both efficiency and specificity of the signals mediated by the pathway. The aim of this project is to develop an extensive protein-protein interaction map for proteins involved in regulation of the p38 signalling pathway. The interaction map will be generated by a combination of matrix and a whole library yeast two-hybrid assay with various proteins o f the p38-signalling pathway as baits. The biological relevance of the protein interactions identified will be validated by de novo generated interaction deficient alleles and dissociating peptides. This interaction map will be impo rtant for a more complete understanding of the signalling pathways involved in stress response.