Members of the GATA family share a conserved zinc finger DNA-binding domain and are capable of binding the WGATAR consensus sequence. GATA-1 is erythroid-specific and is responsible for the regulated transcription of erythroid genes. It is an essential component in the generation of the erythroid lineage. GATA-2 is expressed in embryonic brain and liver, HeLa and endothelial cells, as well as in erythroid cells. Studies with a modified GATA consensus sequence, AGATCTTA, have shown that GATA-2 and GATA-3 recognize this mutated consensus while GATA-1 has poor recognition of this sequence. This indicates broader regulatory capabilities of GATA-2 and GATA-3 than GATA-1. GATA-3 is highly expressed in T lymphocytes. GATA-4, GATA-5 and GATA-6 comprise a subfamily of transcription factors. Both GATA-4 and GATA-6 are found in heart, pancreas and ovary; lung and liver tissues exhibit GATA-6, but not GATA-4 expression. GATA-5 expression has been observed in differentiated heart and gut tissues and is present throughout the course of development in the heart. Although expression patterns of the various GATA transcription factors may overlap, it is not yet apparent how the GATA factors are able to discriminate in binding their appropriate target sites.
