Mapping signal transduction pathways by phage display

Rapid identification of proteins that interact with a novel gene product is an important element of functional genomics. Here we describe a phage disp lay-based technique for interaction screening of complex cDNA libraries usi ng proteins or synthetic peptides as baits. Starting with the epidermal gro wth factor receptor (EGFR) cytoplasmic tail, we identified known protein in teractions that link EGFR to the Ras/MAP kinase signal transduction cascade and several novel interactions. This approach can be used as a rapid and e fficient tool for elucidating protein networks and mapping intracellular si gnal transduction pathways.