Compositions, methods, and kits are provided for efficiently generating and screening a
library of highly diverse
protein complexes for their ability to bind to other proteins or
oligonucleotide sequences. In one aspect of the invention, a
library of expression vectors is provided for expressing the
library of
protein complexes. The library comprises a first
nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide
subunit; and a second
nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide
subunit. The first and second
nucleotide sequences each independently varies within the library of expression vectors. In addition, the first and second polypeptide
subunit are expressed as separate proteins which self-assemble to form a
protein complex, such as a double-chain
antibody fragment (dcFv or Fab) and a fully assembled
antibody, in cells into which the library of expression vectors are introduced. The library of expression vectors can be efficiently generated in
yeast cells through
homologous recombination; and the encoded proteins complexes with high binding affinity to their target molecule can be selected by
high throughput screening in vivo or
in vitro.