title: Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a domain in the Runx2 transcription factor that interacts with the 1alpha,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 receptor.
abstract: The Runx2 transcription factor is a key regulator of osteoblast differentiation. In response to 1alpha,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3, Runx2 may interact with the 1alpha,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) in the promoter of target genes, producing a synergic activation of their transcription. Previous studies have suggested that the motifs responsible for the VDR-Runx2 interaction are contained within the 230-361 domain of Runx2. In this work, we confirmed by GST-pull down that Runx2(I(209-361)) is sufficient to interact with the VDR. To obtain structural information, GST-Runx2(I(209-361)) protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method and polyethyleneglycol as a precipitant. The crystals were found to diffract to a maximum resolution of 2.7 A and a complete data set to a 3.3 A resolution was collected and analyzed. The crystals belong to the tetragonal system, with a space group P4 and unit-cell parameters of a = b = 90.8, and c = 57.2 A. The presence of a monomer of the recombinant GST-Runx2(I(209-361)) in the asymmetric unit gives a V(M) of 2.7 A(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 54.8%.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile.
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bruna
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arriagada
authors.forename: Jane B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.forename: Gary S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bunster
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez-Oyanedel
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montecino
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; C493716:Runx2 protein, mouse