Primary Citation of Related Structures:   1ES7
PubMed Abstract: 
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the large transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of multifunctional cytokines. BMP-2 can induce ectopic bone and cartilage formation in adult vertebrates and is involved in central steps in early embryonal development in animals ...
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the large transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of multifunctional cytokines. BMP-2 can induce ectopic bone and cartilage formation in adult vertebrates and is involved in central steps in early embryonal development in animals. Signaling by these cytokines requires binding of two types of transmembrane serine/threonine receptor kinase chains classified as type I and type II. Here we report the crystal structure of human dimeric BMP-2 in complex with two high affinity BMP receptor IA extracellular domains (BRIAec). The receptor chains bind to the 'wrist' epitopes of the BMP-2 dimer and contact both BMP-2 monomers. No contacts exist between the receptor domains. The model reveals the structural basis for discrimination between type I and type II receptors and the variability of receptor-ligand interactions that is seen in BMP-TGF-beta systems.
Related Citations: 
Crystal Structure of Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 at 2.7 A Resolution Scheufler, C., Sebald, W., Hulsmeyer, M. (1999) J Mol Biol 287: 103
Isolation of Recombinant BMP Receptor IA Ectodomain and its 2:1 Complex with BMP-2 Kirsch, T., Nickel, J., Sebald, W. (2000) FEBS Lett 468: 215
Organizational Affiliation: 
Physiologische Chemie II, Biozentrum der Universität Würzburg, Germany.