Cloning of Rac and Rho-GDI from tobacco using an heterologous two-hybrid screen

To examine whether molecular similarities exist between the animal and plan t Rho GTPase signaling pathways, we have developed a heterologous two-hybri d screening method. By this technique, we have cloned a cDNA encoding a tob acco Rac-like protein able to interact with a mammalian Rho-GDI. In a secon d screen this tobacco Rac was used as a bait and a tobacco homologue of Rho -GDI was identified. These results show that some components of the animal and plant Rac signaling pathways are similar enough to allow their interact ion in an heterologous approach. Moreover these data suggest a similar regu lation of Rho GTPases in animals and plants. (C) 2000 Societe francaise de biochimie et biologie moleculaire / Editions scientifiques et medicales Els evier SAS.