Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the NKX2.5 homeodomain in complex with DNA.

As part of an effort to elucidate the molecular basis for the pathogenesis of NKX2.5 mutations in congenital heart disease using X-ray crystallography, the NKX2.5 homeodomain has been crystallized in complex with a specific DNA element, the -242 promoter region of atrial natriuretic factor. Crystals of the homeodomain-DNA complex diffracted X-rays to 1.7 A resolution and belonged to space group P6(5), with unit-cell parameters a = b = 71.5, c = 94.3 A. The asymmetric unit contained two molecules of the NKX2.5 homeodomain and one double-stranded oligonucleotide.