The alignments were visualized using the program GeneDoc http://​www.​nrbsc.​org/​downloads/​. Yeast two-hybrid MATCHMAKER Two-Hybrid System 3 was used for the yeast two-hybrid assay (Clontech Laboratories Inc., Palo Alto, CA) using all 3 different reporter genes for the selleck screening library confirmation for truly interacting proteins. For the construction of the bait plasmid, ssg-2 cDNA was obtained from poly A+ RNA, transcribed and amplified by RT-PCR using the Ready-to-Go TM Beads (Amersham Biosciences). The RT-PCR product was amplified PCI 32765 using primers containing the gene sequence and an additional sequence containing

restriction enzyme sites, Xma I and BamH I at the 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. The primers used were: Xma I-MGACMS (fw) 5′ ccccggggatgggggcttgcatgagt 3′ and DSGIL-BamH I (rev) 5′ cgcggatccgcgctaggataccggaatctt 3′. The ssg-2 gene PCR product was cloned in frame into the linearized bait plasmid, pGBKT7 (Clontech Laboratories Inc.) using Quick T4 DNA ligase kit (New England Biolabs Inc., Ipswich, MA, USA) and amplified in E. coli by transformation. Sequencing corroborated the sequence, correct orientation, and frame of the inserted gene. The bait containing plasmid was isolated using Fast Plasmid™ Mini technology (Brinkmann Instruments, Inc.) and used to transform competent S. cerevisiae yeast cells (Y187). Competent

S. cerevisiae yeast cells were transformed using the YEASTMAKER™ Yeast Transformation System 2 from Clontech (BD Biosciences, Clontech Laboratories Inc.). Tests for autonomous gene activation and cell toxicity were carried out also as described by the manufacturer. Double stranded cDNA was synthesized from Erlotinib mw S. schenckii yeast VX-680 cells Poly A+ RNA using SMART™ Technology Kit (Clontech Laboratories Inc.). The cDNA’s were amplified using Long Distance PCR and size selected using the BD CHROMA-SPIN™+TE-400 columns (Clontech Laboratories Inc.). S. cerevisiae

yeast cells AH109 were made competent using the lithium-acetate (LiAc) method mentioned above and transformed with SMART ds cDNA (20 μl) previously amplified by LD-PCR and the linearized pGADT7-Rec (Sma I-linearized plasmid). Transformants were selected in SD/-Leu plates, harvested and used for mating with the bait containing S. cerevisiae strain Y187. Mating of S. cerevisiae yeast cells strains Y187 (Mat-α) and AH109 (Mat-a) was done according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The expression of three reporter ADE2, HIS3 and MEL1 genes in the diploids was used as confirmation for true interacting proteins. Diploids expressing interacting proteins were selected in triple drop out medium (TDO), SD/-Ade/-Leu/-Trp. Colonies growing in TDO medium were tested for growth and α-galactosidase production in quadruple drop out medium (QDO), SD/-Ade/-His/-Leu/-Trp/X-α-gal. Re-plating of these positive colonies into QDO medium was done at least 3 times to verify that they maintain the correct phenotype.