A map for the interactions of the major proteins from Potato virus A (PVA) and Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) (members of the genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) was generated using the yeast two-hybrid system (YTHS). Interactions were readily detected with five PVA protein combinations (HC-HC, HC-CI, VPg-VPg, NIa-NIb and CP-CP) and weak but reproducible interactions were detected for seven additional combinations (P1-CI, P3-NIb, NIaPro-NIb, VPg-NIa, VPg-NIaPro, NIaPro-NIa and NIa-NIa). In PSbMV, readily detectable interactions were found in five protein combinations (HC-HC, VPg-VPg, VPg-NIa, NIa-NIa and NIa-NIb) and weaker but reproducible interactions were detected for three additional combinations (P3-NIa, NIa-NIaPro and CP-CP). The self-interactions of HC, VPg, NIa and CP and the interactions of VPg-NIa, NIa-NIaPro and NIa-NIb were, therefore, common for the two potyviruses. The multiple protein interactions revealed in this study shed light on the co-ordinated functions of potyviral proteins involved in virus movement and replication.Interactions between proteins play pivotal roles in many processes during the virus infection cycle ; for example, in the formation of virus replication complexes, assembly of virions, virus movement between cells and virus transmission between plants by vectors. Analysis of protein-protein interactions is crucial for understanding protein functions and the molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes. The classical and more recent methods for detecting protein interactions have been reviewed previously