| GATA proteins comprise a group of transcription factors that are related by the presence of conserved zinc finger DNA binding domains, which bind directly to the nucleotide sequence core element GATA. There are six vertebrate GATA proteins, designated GATA-1 to GATA-6. GATA-6 plays a critical role in endoderm development. It is essential for development of the heart, gut, and other organs. Knock out of GATA-6 is embryonic lethal due to defects in formation of the heart tube and a failure to develop extraembryonic endoderm. Loss of expression, or loss of nuclear localization of GATA-6 is apparent in a large number of ovarian tumors. |
