Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a domain in the Runx2 transcription factor that interacts with the 1α,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 receptor

The Runx2 transcription factor is a key regulator of osteoblast differentiation. In response to 1α,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3, Runx2 may interact with the 1α,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_l(209-361) is sufficient to interact with the VDR. To obtain structural information, GST-Runx2_l(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 Å and a complete data set to a 3.3 Å 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 Å. The presence of a monomer of the recombinant GST-Runx2 _l(209-361) in the asymmetric unit gives a V_M of 2.7 ų Da^-1 and a solvent content of 54.8%.