Structure of the bone morphogenetic protein receptor ALK2 and implications for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Background: Mutations in the ALK2 kinase cause extraskeletal bone formation. Results: We solved the structure of ALK2 in complex with the inhibitor FKBP12. Conclusion: Disease mutations break critical interactions that stabilize the inactive ALK2-FKBP12 complex leading to kinase activation. Significance: We offer an explanation for the effects of mutation and a structural template for the design of small molecule inhibitors. © 2012 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc