GATA2

GATA2 is a human gene which makes a protein called GATA binding protein 2 - a transcription factor.

Function

The GATA family of transcription factors, which contain zinc fingers in their DNA binding domain, have emerged as candidate regulators of gene expression in hematopoietic cells. GATA1 is essential for normal primitive and definitive erythropoiesis and is expressed at high levels in erythroid cells, mast cells, and megakaryocytes. GATA2 is expressed in hematopoietic progenitors, including early erythroid cells, mast cells, and megakaryocytes, and also in nonhematopoietic embryonic stem cells. In chicken erythroid progenitors, forced expression of GATA2 promotes proliferation at the expense of differentiation. GATA3 expression is restricted to T-lymphocyte cells and some nonhematopoietic cell types, including embryonic stem cells.

Interactions

GATA2 has been shown to interact with:

• HDAC3,
• LMO2,
• POU1F1,
• PML
• SPI1, and
• ZBTB16.

Genetic disorders

Multiple mutations on GATA2 gene have been recently implicated as the cause of primary immunodeficiency in patients with MonoMAC Syndrome, and cases of dendritic cell, monocyte, B NK lymphoid deficiency and leukemia. Mutations in this gene have also been associated with familiar myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) and lymphedema, deafness and myelodysplasia (Emberger syndrome).

Lung cancer

GATA2 has recently been implicated in non-small-cell lung cancer - specifically those tumours that are driven by a faulty Ras protein. Targeting processes that occur downstream of GATA2 signalling with clinically approved drugs had a significant effect in mouse models of the disease.

See also

• GATA transcription factor
• MonoMAC

External links

• GATA2 protein, human at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
• FactorBook GATA2

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.