Gal, T.Z., Department of Nematology, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Glazer, I., Department of Nematology, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Sherman, A., Department of Genomics, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Koltai, H., Department of Genomics, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel

The change in gene expression induced by desiccation in the semiarid, entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae IS-6, includes induction of transcription of a nucleosome assembly protein, NAP1 homolog, and of casein kinase 2 (CK2) genes. Therefore, one of the events during the dehydration response of S. feltiae IS-6 may be transcriptional activation by S. feltiae IS-6 NAP1 homolog (Sf-Nap1), which is regulated by 5. feltiae IS-6 CK2 (Sf-CK2). This regulation necessitates physical interaction between the Sf-Nap1 and Sf-CK2 proteins. In the present study we used yeast 2-hybrid analysis to demonstrate physical interaction between the 2 proteins, thus confirming the involvement of a protein interaction-based step in the desiccation response mechanism of S. feltiae IS-6. © American Society of Parasitologists 2005.