The Role of Transcription Factor GATA-2 in Early Hematopoiesis / 中国实验血液学杂志

ABSTRACT

Transcription factor GATA-2 is a member of GATA family which binds a common DNA sequence motif [T/A (GATA) A/G] through an evolutionarily conserved zinc finger domain. An essential role for GATA-2 in the development of hematopoietic cells has recently been shown in gene knockout experiments in mice. GATA-2 gene disruption makes reduction in all hematopoietic precursors, whereas enforced expression of GATA-2 blocks normal hematopoiesis. GATA-2 exerts regulation in early embryo and cooperates with other GATA transcription factors in proliferation and differentiation of myeloid, erythroid, megakaryocytic and mast cell lineages. GATA-2 mRNA and protein could be detected in human myelogenous leukemia cell lines and in most patients with primary leukemias. Some data revealed that GATA-2 could transactivate the Cas-Br-E and graffi retroviruses, which can induce myelogenous leukemia in mice. However, the role of GATA-2 in pathogenesis of leukemia is still not well understood.