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

The NKX2.5 homeodomain has been crystallized in complex with DNA. Diffraction data were collected to 1.7 Å resolution. 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 Å resolution and belonged to space group P6₅, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 71.5, c = 94.3 Å. The asymmetric unit contained two molecules of the NKX2.5 homeodomain and one double-stranded oligonucleotide