Molecular structure of the GATA transcription factor family
In non-vertebrates, the GATA genes are located close together on the chromosomes. Due to evolution, these genes in humans moved apart and are separated into 6 distinct chromosomal regions.To regulate transcription of DNA, GATA transcription factors containing the class IV zinc finger motif look for GATA sites in DNA with two conserved zinc finger involved in long range DNA interactions. In non-vertebrates, GATA transcription factors contain one zinc finger DNA binding domain (ZNI). In humans, GATA transcription factors contain two zinc finger DNA binding domains (ZNI and ZNII) which looks for adenine or thymine before the GATA sequence and adenine or guanine after as shown by the schematic: (A/T)GATA(A/G). Generally, ZNI and ZNII follow the sequence: CX2CX17–18CX2C. 70% of the regions in the zinc finger domains are the same while the terminal amino and carboxyl domains can change.Genes
In humans: *Role in breast cancer
Despite GATA’s influence on endocrine organs and cell development, they have a complex relation to the development and growth of breast cancer. Its immediate influence is not yet known, its high risk for mutation however, makes determining the immediate influence of paramount importance in battling breast cancer. Some research that has been done on the GATA transcription factor for its role in the development of breast cancer suggests that a specific GATA transcription factor GATA3 can actually inhibit further growth of breast cancer cells. The complete mechanism in which this happens is still not clear. However, research has suggested that the GATA transcription factor creates an unfavorable chemical environment for the breast cancer tumor cells which inhibits the progression of these cells. One way that has been suggested is that the GATA transcription factor lowers the level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the cell. This creates an unfavorable chemical environment for the breast cancer cells because usually they require high levels of ATP to survive. In addition, research has suggested that there is a specific gene called the TRP1 that is expressed in breast cancer cells and the GATA3 transcription factor plays a role in regulating this gene.References
External links
* {{Transcription factors, g2 Transcription factors Articles containing video clips