Runt domain

The Runt domain is an evolutionary conserved protein domain.^[1] The AML1/RUNX1 gene is rearranged by the t(8;21) translocation in acute myeloid leukemia.^[2] The gene is highly similar to the Drosophila melanogaster segmentation gene runt and to the mouse transcription factor PEBP2 alpha subunit gene.^[2] The region of shared similarity, known as the Runt domain, is responsible for DNA-binding and protein-protein interaction.

Runt domain
Identifiers
Symbol	Runt
Pfam	PF00853
InterPro	IPR013524
SCOP2	1cmo / SCOPe / SUPFAM
Available protein structures: Pfam   structures / ECOD   PDB RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj PDBsum structure summary PDB 1eaqA:48-182 1hjbC:60-182 1hjcD:60-182 1io4C:60-182 1eaoA:48-182 1eanA:48-182 1e50E:50-182 1co1A:61-175 1h9dC:50-182 1ljmB:51-181 1cmoA:52-178

In addition to the highly conserved Runt domain, the AML-1 gene product carries a putative ATP-binding site (GRSGRGKS), and has a C-terminal region rich in proline and serine residues. The protein, commonly referred to as RUNX1 (also known as acute myeloid leukemia 1 protein, AML-1, or the core-binding factor alpha-B subunit) binds to the core site, 5'-pygpyggt-3', of a number of enhancers and promoters.

The functional protein forms a heterodimer composed of an alpha and a beta subunit. The alpha subunit can bind DNA on its own and plays an essential role in the development of normal hematopoiesis (blood cell formation). CBF is a nuclear protein expressed in numerous tissue types, except brain and heart; highest levels have been found to occur in thymus, bone marrow and peripheral blood.

This domain occurs towards the N-terminus of the proteins in this entry.

Examples

Human genes encoding proteins with a Runt domain include:

• RUNX1 – essential for hematopoiesis
• RUNX2 – critical for bone development
• RUNX3 – involved in neurogenesis and T-cell development

See also

• Pair-rule gene - for runt gene in Drosophila melanogaster