Transcriptional activator which probably serves as a general switch factor for erythroid development. It binds to DNA sites with the consensus sequence [AT]GATA[AG] within regulatory regions of globin genes and of other genes expressed in erythroid cells.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a C2H2-type zinc finger domain of a protein. The C2H2 zinc finger is the classical zinc finger domain, in which two conserved cysteines and histidines co-ordinate a zinc ion.
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
Erythroid and megakaryocytic lineage differentiation and maturation are regulated via cooperation between transcription factor GATA1 and its essential cofactor friend-of-GATA1 (FOG1). The interaction between these two murine proteins is well studied in vitro and depends on the binding of Fog1 to the N-terminal zinc finger (N-finger) of Gata1. We identified the human FOG1 gene on chromosome 16q24 and found expression mainly in hematopoietic cells and also in several other tissues. Sequencing of FOG1 cDNA revealed a 1006 amino-acid protein that contained nine zinc fingers, highly homologous to murine Fog1 fingers. The amino acid sequence and the GATA1-binding capacity of the human and murine finger 5 are however different. Ex vivo binding studies demonstrated that FOG1 interacts with both GATA1 and GATA2. We and others have described patients with mutations in the GATA1 N-finger (V205 M, D218G, D218Y, or G208S), who suffer from macrothrombocytopenia and erythrocyte abnormalities. We now show ex vivo that the interaction between GATA1 and FOG1 is indeed disturbed in platelets and erythrocytes of those patients carrying D218 GATA1 mutations. The identification of the human FOG1 gene will enable the genetic screening of patients with non X-linked thrombocytopenia and dyserythropoiesis.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with chromatin, the network of fibers of DNA, protein, and sometimes RNA, that make up the chromosomes of the eukaryotic nucleus during interphase.
A new mutation is described in the X-linked gene GATA1, resulting in macrothrombocytopenia and mild dyserythropoietic features but no marked anemia in a 4-generation family. The molecular basis for the observed phenotype is a substitution of glycine for aspartate in the strictly conserved codon 218 (D218G) of the amino-terminal zinc finger loop of the transcription factor GATA1. Zinc finger interaction studies demonstrated that this mutation results in a weak loss of affinity of GATA1 for its essential cofactor FOG1, whereas direct D218G-GATA1 binding to DNA was normal. The phenotypic effects of this mutation in the patients' platelets have been studied. Semiquantitative RNA analysis, normalized for beta-actin messenger RNA, showed extremely low transcription of the GATA1 target genes GPIbbeta and GPIX but also a significantly lower expression of the nondirectly GATA1-regulated Gsalpha gene, suggestive of incomplete megakaryocyte maturation. In contrast, GPIIIa expression was close to normal in agreement with its early appearance during megakaryocyte differentiation. Flow cytometric analysis of patient platelets confirmed the existence of a platelet population with abnormal size distribution and reduced GPIb complex levels but with normal GPIIIa expression. It also showed the presence of very immature platelets lacking almost all membrane glycoproteins studied (GPIbalpha, GPIbbeta, GPIIIa, GPIX, and GPV). Patients' platelets showed weak ristocetin-induced agglutination, compatible with the disturbed GPIb complex. Accordingly, electron microscopy of the patients' platelets revealed giant platelets with cytoplasmic clusters consisting of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and abnormal membrane complexes. In conclusion, GATA1 mutations can lead to isolated X-linked macrothrombocytopenia without anemia.
GATA-1, a transcription factor essential for the development of the erythroid lineage, contains two adjacent highly conserved zinc finger motifs. The carboxy-terminal finger is necessary and sufficient for specific binding to the consensus GATA recognition sequence: mutant proteins containing only the amino-terminal finger do not bind. Here we identify a DNA sequence (GATApal) for which the GATA-1 amino-terminal finger makes a critical contribution to the strength of binding. The site occurs in the GATA-1 gene promoters of chickens, mice, and humans but occurs very infrequently in other vertebrate genes known to be regulated by GATA proteins. GATApal is a palindromic site composed of one complete [(A/T)GATA(A/G)] and one partial (GAT) canonical motif. Deletion of the partial motif changes the site to a normal GATA site and also reduces by as much as eightfold the activity of the GATA-1 promoter in an erythroid precursor cell. We propose that GATApal is important for positive regulation of GATA-1 expression in erythroid cells.
The activity of binding selectively and non-covalently to and distorting the original structure of DNA, typically a straight helix, into a bend, or increasing the bend if the original structure was intrinsically bent due to its sequence.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a specific sequence of DNA that is part of an enhancer, a transcription regulatory region that is somewhat distal from the core promoter and which enhances transcription from that promoter.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any protein or protein complex (a complex of two or more proteins that may include other nonprotein molecules).
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
A new mutation is described in the X-linked gene GATA1, resulting in macrothrombocytopenia and mild dyserythropoietic features but no marked anemia in a 4-generation family. The molecular basis for the observed phenotype is a substitution of glycine for aspartate in the strictly conserved codon 218 (D218G) of the amino-terminal zinc finger loop of the transcription factor GATA1. Zinc finger interaction studies demonstrated that this mutation results in a weak loss of affinity of GATA1 for its essential cofactor FOG1, whereas direct D218G-GATA1 binding to DNA was normal. The phenotypic effects of this mutation in the patients' platelets have been studied. Semiquantitative RNA analysis, normalized for beta-actin messenger RNA, showed extremely low transcription of the GATA1 target genes GPIbbeta and GPIX but also a significantly lower expression of the nondirectly GATA1-regulated Gsalpha gene, suggestive of incomplete megakaryocyte maturation. In contrast, GPIIIa expression was close to normal in agreement with its early appearance during megakaryocyte differentiation. Flow cytometric analysis of patient platelets confirmed the existence of a platelet population with abnormal size distribution and reduced GPIb complex levels but with normal GPIIIa expression. It also showed the presence of very immature platelets lacking almost all membrane glycoproteins studied (GPIbalpha, GPIbbeta, GPIIIa, GPIX, and GPV). Patients' platelets showed weak ristocetin-induced agglutination, compatible with the disturbed GPIb complex. Accordingly, electron microscopy of the patients' platelets revealed giant platelets with cytoplasmic clusters consisting of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and abnormal membrane complexes. In conclusion, GATA1 mutations can lead to isolated X-linked macrothrombocytopenia without anemia.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Caspase-3 is activated during both terminal differentiation and erythropoietin-starvation-induced apoptosis of human erythroid precursors. The transcription factor GATA-1, which performs an essential function in erythroid differentiation by positively regulating promoters of erythroid and anti-apoptotic genes, is cleaved by caspases in erythroid precursors undergoing cell death upon erythropoietin starvation or engagement of the death receptor Fas. In contrast, by an unknown mechanism, GATA-1 remains uncleaved when these cells undergo terminal differentiation upon stimulation with Epo. Here we show that during differentiation, but not during apoptosis, the chaperone protein Hsp70 protects GATA-1 from caspase-mediated proteolysis. At the onset of caspase activation, Hsp70 co-localizes and interacts with GATA-1 in the nucleus of erythroid precursors undergoing terminal differentiation. In contrast, erythropoietin starvation induces the nuclear export of Hsp70 and the cleavage of GATA-1. In an in vitro assay, Hsp70 protects GATA-1 from caspase-3-mediated proteolysis through its peptide-binding domain. The use of RNA-mediated interference to decrease the Hsp70 content of erythroid precursors cultured in the presence of erythropoietin leads to GATA-1 cleavage, a decrease in haemoglobin content, downregulation of the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L), and cell death by apoptosis. These effects are abrogated by the transduction of a caspase-resistant GATA-1 mutant. Thus, in erythroid precursors undergoing terminal differentiation, Hsp70 prevents active caspase-3 from cleaving GATA-1 and inducing apoptosis.
RNA polymerase II core promoter proximal region sequence-specific DNA bindingdefinition[GO:0000978]‹silver
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a sequence of DNA that is in cis with and relatively close to a core promoter for RNA polymerase II.
IEAOrtholog Compara
RNA polymerase II core promoter proximal region sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor activity involved in negative regulation of transcriptiondefinition[GO:0001078]
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a sequence of DNA that is in cis with and relatively close to a core promoter for RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) in order to stop, prevent, or reduce the frequency, rate or extent of transcription from an RNA polymerase II promoter.
GATA-1 is essential for the generation of the erythroid, megakaryocytic, eosinophilic and mast cell lineages. It acts as an activator and repressor of different target genes, for example, in erythroid cells it represses cell proliferation and early hematopoietic genes while activating erythroid genes, yet it is not clear how both of these functions are mediated. Using a biotinylation tagging/proteomics approach in erythroid cells, we describe distinct GATA-1 interactions with the essential hematopoietic factor Gfi-1b, the repressive MeCP1 complex and the chromatin remodeling ACF/WCRF complex, in addition to the known GATA-1/FOG-1 and GATA-1/TAL-1 complexes. Importantly, we show that FOG-1 mediates GATA-1 interactions with the MeCP1 complex, thus providing an explanation for the overlapping functions of these two factors in erythropoiesis. We also show that subsets of GATA-1 gene targets are bound in vivo by distinct complexes, thus linking specific GATA-1 partners to distinct aspects of its functions. Based on these findings, we suggest a model for the different roles of GATA-1 in erythroid differentiation.
RNA polymerase II core promoter proximal region sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor activity involved in positive regulation of transcriptiondefinition[GO:0001077]‹silver
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a sequence of DNA that is in cis with and relatively close to a core promoter for RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) in order to activate or increase the frequency, rate or extent of transcription from the RNAP II promoter.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a specific sequence of DNA that is part of a regulatory region that controls the transcription of a gene or cistron by RNA polymerase II.
In man, a shift from gamma- to beta-globin gene expression in erythroblasts underlies a switch from fetal to adult haemoglobin during development. In hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH), inappropriately high gamma-globin expression in adult life is associated with deletions in the beta-globin cluster or with single-base changes upstream of the gamma-globin genes. To account for enhanced gamma-gene expression in HPFH of the non-deletion type, we tested the nuclear proteins of human erythroleukaemia cells that bind gamma-promoter sequences in vitro by correlating specific mutations in their binding sites with promoter activity. An erythroid-specific factor (GF-1) binds as a single molecule to the -195 to -170 region and contacts two TATCT(AGATA) motifs, but not the conserved octamer (ATGCAAAT) that separates them. We observe that a single change (at -175, T----C) found in HPFH leads to increased promoter activity only in erythroid cells. This effect is mediated by GF-1, the human counterpart of the chicken erythroid factor Eryf 1. The form of HPFH we studied here is an inherited disorder which can be ascribed to the action of a cell-specific DNA-binding factor on a mutant promoter.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with an RNA polymerase II transcription factor, any protein required to initiate or regulate transcription by RNA polymerase II.
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
A family with recessive X-linked thrombocytopenia affecting 4 males in 2 generations, characterized by macrothrombocytopenia, profound bleeding, and mild dyserythropoiesis, is described. Microsatellite linkage analysis identified a region of the X chromosome including the GATA-1 gene, which encodes a critical transcription factor involved in erythrocyte and megakaryocyte development. By sequencing the entire coding region of GATA-1, a 2-base mutation was detected that results in a single amino acid substitution (glycine 208 to serine) within a highly conserved portion of the N-terminal zinc finger domain. Restriction fragment length polymorphism confirmed that this novel mutation segregated with the affected males and female carrier. Although not required for DNA binding, Gly208 of GATA-1 is involved in direct interaction with Friend of GATA-1 (FOG), a cofactor required for normal megakaryocytic and erythroid development. These results demonstrate that the GATA-1-FOG interaction is partially disrupted by the mutation and that the greatest effect involves contact with the FOG zinc finger 9. These findings help describe a novel mutation of GATA-1 in humans as a cause of X-linked thrombocytopenia, and they confirm the vital role played by this transcription factor during in vivo megakaryocyte development.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
GATA-1 is essential for the generation of the erythroid, megakaryocytic, eosinophilic and mast cell lineages. It acts as an activator and repressor of different target genes, for example, in erythroid cells it represses cell proliferation and early hematopoietic genes while activating erythroid genes, yet it is not clear how both of these functions are mediated. Using a biotinylation tagging/proteomics approach in erythroid cells, we describe distinct GATA-1 interactions with the essential hematopoietic factor Gfi-1b, the repressive MeCP1 complex and the chromatin remodeling ACF/WCRF complex, in addition to the known GATA-1/FOG-1 and GATA-1/TAL-1 complexes. Importantly, we show that FOG-1 mediates GATA-1 interactions with the MeCP1 complex, thus providing an explanation for the overlapping functions of these two factors in erythropoiesis. We also show that subsets of GATA-1 gene targets are bound in vivo by distinct complexes, thus linking specific GATA-1 partners to distinct aspects of its functions. Based on these findings, we suggest a model for the different roles of GATA-1 in erythroid differentiation.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with DNA of a specific nucleotide composition, e.g. GC-rich DNA binding, or with a specific sequence motif or type of DNA e.g. promotor binding or rDNA binding.
Transcription factor GATA-1 is essential for the development of erythroid cells and megakaryocytes. Each of its 2 zinc fingers is critical for normal function. The C-terminal finger is necessary for DNA binding. The N finger mediates interaction with FOG-1, a cofactor for GATA-1, and also modulates DNA-binding affinity, notably at complex or palindromic GATA sites. Residues of the N finger-mediating interaction with FOG-1 lie on the surface of the N finger facing away from DNA. Strong sequence conservation of residues facing DNA suggests that this other surface may also have an important role. We report here that a syndrome of X-linked thrombocytopenia with thalassemia in humans is caused by a missense mutation (Arg216Gln) in the GATA-1 N finger. To investigate the functional consequences of this substitution, we used site-directed mutagenesis to alter the corresponding residue in GATA-1. Compared with wild-type GATA-1, Arg216Gln GATA-1 shows comparable affinity to single GATA sites but decreased affinity to palindromic sites. Arg216Gln GATA-1 interacts with FOG-1 similarly with wild-type GATA-1. Arg216Gln GATA-1 supports erythroid maturation of GATA-1 erythroid cells, albeit at reduced efficiency compared with wild-type GATA-1. Together, these findings suggest that residues of the N finger of GATA-1-facing DNA contribute to GATA-1 function apart from interaction with the cofactor FOG-1. This is also the first example of beta-thalassemia in humans caused by a mutation in an erythroid transcription factor.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a specific DNA sequence in order to modulate transcription. The transcription factor may or may not also interact selectively with a protein or macromolecular complex.
In man, a shift from gamma- to beta-globin gene expression in erythroblasts underlies a switch from fetal to adult haemoglobin during development. In hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH), inappropriately high gamma-globin expression in adult life is associated with deletions in the beta-globin cluster or with single-base changes upstream of the gamma-globin genes. To account for enhanced gamma-gene expression in HPFH of the non-deletion type, we tested the nuclear proteins of human erythroleukaemia cells that bind gamma-promoter sequences in vitro by correlating specific mutations in their binding sites with promoter activity. An erythroid-specific factor (GF-1) binds as a single molecule to the -195 to -170 region and contacts two TATCT(AGATA) motifs, but not the conserved octamer (ATGCAAAT) that separates them. We observe that a single change (at -175, T----C) found in HPFH leads to increased promoter activity only in erythroid cells. This effect is mediated by GF-1, the human counterpart of the chicken erythroid factor Eryf 1. The form of HPFH we studied here is an inherited disorder which can be ascribed to the action of a cell-specific DNA-binding factor on a mutant promoter.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a specific sequence of DNA that is part of a regulatory region that controls transcription of that section of the DNA. The transcribed region might be described as a gene, cistron, or operon.
Haematopoietic development is regulated by nuclear protein complexes that coordinate lineage-specific patterns of gene expression. Targeted mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells and mice has revealed roles for the X-linked gene Gata1 in erythrocyte and megakaryocyte differentiation. GATA-1 is the founding member of a family of DNA-binding proteins that recognize the motif WGATAR through a conserved multifunctional domain consisting of two C4-type zinc fingers. Here we describe a family with X-linked dyserythropoietic anaemia and thrombocytopenia due to a substitution of methionine for valine at amino acid 205 of GATA-1. This highly conserved valine is necessary for interaction of the amino-terminal zinc finger of GATA-1 with its essential cofactor, FOG-1 (for friend of GATA-1; refs 9-12). We show that the V205M mutation abrogates the interaction between Gata-1 and Fog-1, inhibiting the ability of Gata-1 to rescue erythroid differentiation in an erythroid cell line deficient for Gata-1 (G1E). Our findings underscore the importance of FOG-1:Gata-1 associations in both megakaryocyte and erythroid development, and suggest that other X-linked anaemias or thrombocytopenias may be caused by defects in GATA1.
Tal-1 rearrangements are associated with nearly 30% of human T acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Tal-1 gene encodes a putative transcription factor with a basic helix-loop-helix domain and is known to be predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells. We investigated the pattern of tal-1 expression in purified human hematopoietic cells by in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. Both methods demonstrated that the tal-1 gene is expressed in megakaryocytes and erythroblasts as well as in basophilic granulocytes. In addition, our results indicate that the tal-1 1A promoter, which contains two consensus GATA-binding sites, is active mainly in these lineages. Because the GATA-1 gene is known to transactivate several genes specific for the erythroid, megakaryocytic, and mastocytic/basophilic lineages, we studied GATA-1 expression in these purified hematopoietic cells. We found that GATA-1 and tal-1 genes are coexpressed in these three lineages. Remarkably, the expression of both genes is downmodulated during erythroid and megakaryocytic terminal maturation. In immature hematopoietic cells, tal-1 and GATA-1 genes are coexpressed in committed progenitors cells (CD34+/CD38(2+)), whereas they are not detectable in the most primitive cells (CD34(2+)/CD38-). In contrast, GATA-2 is strongly expressed in both most primitive and committed progenitors cells, whereas GATA-3 is mostly detected in most primitive ones. Altogether our results strongly suggest that GATA-1 modulates the transcription of tal-1 during the differentiation of the erythroid, megakaryocytic, and basosophilic lineages.
A change in state or activity of a cell (in terms of movement, secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a result of a thyroid hormone stimulus.
OBJECTIVE: Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors with a major impact on erythroid cell development. Here we investigated TR activity on red cell gene expression and identified TR target genes. The impact of the TR target gene GAR22 (growth arrest-specific 2 [GAS2]-related gene on chromosome 22) on red cell differentiation was determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stem cell factor/erythropoietin (SCF/EPO)-dependent red cell progenitors were differentiated in vitro in the presence or absence of thyroid hormone. Hormone-induced changes in gene expression were measured by a genome-wide approach with DNA microarrays. Ectopic expression of the TR target gene GAR22 was used to determine its impact on red cell differentiation. RESULTS: Ligand-activated TR effectively accelerated red cell progenitor differentiation in vitro concomitantly with inducing growth arrest. We demonstrate that activated TR-induced specific gene expression patterns of up- or downregulated genes, including distinct clusters associated with accelerated differentiation in response to treatment. Mining for T3-induced genes identified basic transcription element binding protein 1/Krüppel-like factor 9 (BTEB1/KLF9) and GAR22 as TR target genes. BTEB1/KLF9 is a known TR target gene while GAR22, initially identified as a putative tumor suppressor, represents a novel TR target gene. We demonstrate that ectopic GAR22 expression in red cell progenitors lengthens the cell cycle and causes growth inhibition, but leaves red cell gene expression unaffected. CONCLUSION: This study identifies GAR22 as a novel and direct TR target gene. Our results suggest that hormone-induced GAR22 might represent an important trigger of growth inhibition induced by thyroid hormone in red cell progenitors.
The process in which a precursor cell type acquires the specialized features of a dendritic cell. A dendritic cell is a leukocyte of dendritic lineage specialized in the uptake, processing, and transport of antigens to lymph nodes for the purpose of stimulating an immune response via T cell activation.
The expression of the hematopoietic transcription factors GATA-1, GATA-2, and GATA-3 was studied in eosinophils and basophils. Eosinophils express mRNA for GATA-1, GATA-2, and GATA-3. Basophils express GATA-2 and GATA-3. Treatment of HL-60 eosinophilic sublines with either interleukin-5 or butyric acid increased the expression of GATA-1 mRNA concomitant with the expression of eosinophil-specific genes, whereas levels of GATA-2 mRNA remained relatively constant. The presence of mRNA for these proteins in eosinophils and basophils suggests that gene transcription in these lineages may be regulated by GATA-binding proteins.
The process in which the developmental fate of a cell becomes restricted such that it will develop into a eosinophil cell. A eosinophil is any of the immature or mature forms of a granular leukocyte with a nucleus that usually has two lobes connected by one or more slender threads of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing coarse, round granules that are uniform in size and which can be stained by the dye eosin.
J. Exp. Med. 195, 1379-1386 (2002)[PubMed:12045236]
GATA transcription factors are major regulators of hematopoietic and immune system. Among GATA factors, GATA-1, GATA-2, and GATA-3 play crucial roles in the development of erythroid cells, hematopoietic stem, and progenitor cells, and T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, respectively. A high level of GATA-1 and GATA-2 expression has been observed in eosinophils, but their roles in eosinophil development remain uncertain both in vitro and in vivo. Here we show that enforced expression of GATA-1 in human primary myeloid progenitor cells completely switches myeloid cell fate into eosinophils. Expression of GATA-1 exclusively promotes development and terminal maturation of eosinophils. Functional domain analyses revealed that the COOH-terminal finger is essential for this capacity while the other domains are dispensable. Importantly, GATA-1-deficient mice failed to develop eosinophil progenitors in the fetal liver. On the other hand, GATA-2 also showed instructive capacity comparable to GATA-1 in vitro and efficiently compensated for GATA-1 deficiency in terms of eosinophil development in vivo, indicating that proper accumulation of GATA factors is critical for eosinophil development. Taken together, our findings establish essential and instructive roles of GATA factors in eosinophil development. GATA-1 and GATA-2 could be novel molecular targets for therapeutic approaches to allergic inflammation.
The process aimed at the progression of an erythrocyte over time, from initial commitment of the cell to a specific fate, to the fully functional differentiated cell.
Haematopoietic development is regulated by nuclear protein complexes that coordinate lineage-specific patterns of gene expression. Targeted mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells and mice has revealed roles for the X-linked gene Gata1 in erythrocyte and megakaryocyte differentiation. GATA-1 is the founding member of a family of DNA-binding proteins that recognize the motif WGATAR through a conserved multifunctional domain consisting of two C4-type zinc fingers. Here we describe a family with X-linked dyserythropoietic anaemia and thrombocytopenia due to a substitution of methionine for valine at amino acid 205 of GATA-1. This highly conserved valine is necessary for interaction of the amino-terminal zinc finger of GATA-1 with its essential cofactor, FOG-1 (for friend of GATA-1; refs 9-12). We show that the V205M mutation abrogates the interaction between Gata-1 and Fog-1, inhibiting the ability of Gata-1 to rescue erythroid differentiation in an erythroid cell line deficient for Gata-1 (G1E). Our findings underscore the importance of FOG-1:Gata-1 associations in both megakaryocyte and erythroid development, and suggest that other X-linked anaemias or thrombocytopenias may be caused by defects in GATA1.
Tal-1 rearrangements are associated with nearly 30% of human T acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Tal-1 gene encodes a putative transcription factor with a basic helix-loop-helix domain and is known to be predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells. We investigated the pattern of tal-1 expression in purified human hematopoietic cells by in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. Both methods demonstrated that the tal-1 gene is expressed in megakaryocytes and erythroblasts as well as in basophilic granulocytes. In addition, our results indicate that the tal-1 1A promoter, which contains two consensus GATA-binding sites, is active mainly in these lineages. Because the GATA-1 gene is known to transactivate several genes specific for the erythroid, megakaryocytic, and mastocytic/basophilic lineages, we studied GATA-1 expression in these purified hematopoietic cells. We found that GATA-1 and tal-1 genes are coexpressed in these three lineages. Remarkably, the expression of both genes is downmodulated during erythroid and megakaryocytic terminal maturation. In immature hematopoietic cells, tal-1 and GATA-1 genes are coexpressed in committed progenitors cells (CD34+/CD38(2+)), whereas they are not detectable in the most primitive cells (CD34(2+)/CD38-). In contrast, GATA-2 is strongly expressed in both most primitive and committed progenitors cells, whereas GATA-3 is mostly detected in most primitive ones. Altogether our results strongly suggest that GATA-1 modulates the transcription of tal-1 during the differentiation of the erythroid, megakaryocytic, and basosophilic lineages.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the embryo in the uterus over time, from formation of the zygote in the oviduct, to birth. An example of this process is found in Mus musculus.
Haematopoietic development is regulated by nuclear protein complexes that coordinate lineage-specific patterns of gene expression. Targeted mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells and mice has revealed roles for the X-linked gene Gata1 in erythrocyte and megakaryocyte differentiation. GATA-1 is the founding member of a family of DNA-binding proteins that recognize the motif WGATAR through a conserved multifunctional domain consisting of two C4-type zinc fingers. Here we describe a family with X-linked dyserythropoietic anaemia and thrombocytopenia due to a substitution of methionine for valine at amino acid 205 of GATA-1. This highly conserved valine is necessary for interaction of the amino-terminal zinc finger of GATA-1 with its essential cofactor, FOG-1 (for friend of GATA-1; refs 9-12). We show that the V205M mutation abrogates the interaction between Gata-1 and Fog-1, inhibiting the ability of Gata-1 to rescue erythroid differentiation in an erythroid cell line deficient for Gata-1 (G1E). Our findings underscore the importance of FOG-1:Gata-1 associations in both megakaryocyte and erythroid development, and suggest that other X-linked anaemias or thrombocytopenias may be caused by defects in GATA1.
Haematopoietic development is regulated by nuclear protein complexes that coordinate lineage-specific patterns of gene expression. Targeted mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells and mice has revealed roles for the X-linked gene Gata1 in erythrocyte and megakaryocyte differentiation. GATA-1 is the founding member of a family of DNA-binding proteins that recognize the motif WGATAR through a conserved multifunctional domain consisting of two C4-type zinc fingers. Here we describe a family with X-linked dyserythropoietic anaemia and thrombocytopenia due to a substitution of methionine for valine at amino acid 205 of GATA-1. This highly conserved valine is necessary for interaction of the amino-terminal zinc finger of GATA-1 with its essential cofactor, FOG-1 (for friend of GATA-1; refs 9-12). We show that the V205M mutation abrogates the interaction between Gata-1 and Fog-1, inhibiting the ability of Gata-1 to rescue erythroid differentiation in an erythroid cell line deficient for Gata-1 (G1E). Our findings underscore the importance of FOG-1:Gata-1 associations in both megakaryocyte and erythroid development, and suggest that other X-linked anaemias or thrombocytopenias may be caused by defects in GATA1.
In the interleukin 3-dependent hematopoietic cell line Ba/F3, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase, a member of the MAPK/c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase kinase family that plays an important role in cell growth and death control, rapidly leads to severe apoptosis. However, most of the antiapoptotic substrates of MAPK remain to be identified. Here we report that, upon interleukin-3 stimulation of Ba/F3 cells, the transcription factor GATA-1 is strongly phosphorylated at residue serine 26 by a MAPK-dependent pathway. Phosphorylation of GATA-1 increases GATA-1-mediated transcription of the E4bp4 survival gene without significantly changing the DNA-binding affinity of GATA-1. Further characterization of GATA-1 phosphorylation site mutants revealed that the antiapoptotic function of GATA-1 is strongly dependent upon its phosphorylation at the Ser-26 position and is probably mediated through its up-regulation of Bcl-X(L) expression. Taken together, our data demonstrate that MAPK-dependent GATA-1 phosphorylation is important for its transactivation of the E4bp4 gene, Bcl-X(L) expression and cell survival. Therefore, GATA-1 may represent a novel MAPK substrate that plays an essential role in a cytokine-mediated antiapoptotic response.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Mutant PhenotypeUniProtKB
Caspase-3 is activated during both terminal differentiation and erythropoietin-starvation-induced apoptosis of human erythroid precursors. The transcription factor GATA-1, which performs an essential function in erythroid differentiation by positively regulating promoters of erythroid and anti-apoptotic genes, is cleaved by caspases in erythroid precursors undergoing cell death upon erythropoietin starvation or engagement of the death receptor Fas. In contrast, by an unknown mechanism, GATA-1 remains uncleaved when these cells undergo terminal differentiation upon stimulation with Epo. Here we show that during differentiation, but not during apoptosis, the chaperone protein Hsp70 protects GATA-1 from caspase-mediated proteolysis. At the onset of caspase activation, Hsp70 co-localizes and interacts with GATA-1 in the nucleus of erythroid precursors undergoing terminal differentiation. In contrast, erythropoietin starvation induces the nuclear export of Hsp70 and the cleavage of GATA-1. In an in vitro assay, Hsp70 protects GATA-1 from caspase-3-mediated proteolysis through its peptide-binding domain. The use of RNA-mediated interference to decrease the Hsp70 content of erythroid precursors cultured in the presence of erythropoietin leads to GATA-1 cleavage, a decrease in haemoglobin content, downregulation of the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L), and cell death by apoptosis. These effects are abrogated by the transduction of a caspase-resistant GATA-1 mutant. Thus, in erythroid precursors undergoing terminal differentiation, Hsp70 prevents active caspase-3 from cleaving GATA-1 and inducing apoptosis.
GATA-1 is essential for the generation of the erythroid, megakaryocytic, eosinophilic and mast cell lineages. It acts as an activator and repressor of different target genes, for example, in erythroid cells it represses cell proliferation and early hematopoietic genes while activating erythroid genes, yet it is not clear how both of these functions are mediated. Using a biotinylation tagging/proteomics approach in erythroid cells, we describe distinct GATA-1 interactions with the essential hematopoietic factor Gfi-1b, the repressive MeCP1 complex and the chromatin remodeling ACF/WCRF complex, in addition to the known GATA-1/FOG-1 and GATA-1/TAL-1 complexes. Importantly, we show that FOG-1 mediates GATA-1 interactions with the MeCP1 complex, thus providing an explanation for the overlapping functions of these two factors in erythropoiesis. We also show that subsets of GATA-1 gene targets are bound in vivo by distinct complexes, thus linking specific GATA-1 partners to distinct aspects of its functions. Based on these findings, we suggest a model for the different roles of GATA-1 in erythroid differentiation.
Defects in the X-linked DNA-binding megakaryocyte transcription factor GATA1 cause thrombocytopenia and abnormal platelet function. However, detailed studies of GATA1 function in platelet activation are lacking. Here, we studied platelets from GATA1-deficient mice and from a male patient (S14) with a bleeding diathesis attributed to a single amino acid substitution (R216Q) in the N-terminal GATA1 zinc finger that alters binding to DNA. In both cases there was inhibition of aggregation to collagen and decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of glycoprotein VI (GPVI)-signaling proteins. This effect was more marked in GATA1-deficient murine platelets, where it was associated with a significant reduction in surface GPVI expression. Moreover, both human and murine GATA1-mutant platelets showed reduced adhesion and aggregate formation on a collagen matrix at an intermediate rate of shear, although this could not be accounted solely by the thrombocytopenia and altered GPVI expression, indicating that GATA1 regulates additional factors important for platelet activation under shear. In contrast, there was no inhibition of responses to G protein-coupled receptor agonists in GATA1-perturbed platelets. Our results are consistent with GATA1 regulating some but not all pathways of platelet activation, leading to an impairment of aggregate formation under flow, which cannot be attributed solely to the thrombocytopenia.
Erythroid and megakaryocytic lineage differentiation and maturation are regulated via cooperation between transcription factor GATA1 and its essential cofactor friend-of-GATA1 (FOG1). The interaction between these two murine proteins is well studied in vitro and depends on the binding of Fog1 to the N-terminal zinc finger (N-finger) of Gata1. We identified the human FOG1 gene on chromosome 16q24 and found expression mainly in hematopoietic cells and also in several other tissues. Sequencing of FOG1 cDNA revealed a 1006 amino-acid protein that contained nine zinc fingers, highly homologous to murine Fog1 fingers. The amino acid sequence and the GATA1-binding capacity of the human and murine finger 5 are however different. Ex vivo binding studies demonstrated that FOG1 interacts with both GATA1 and GATA2. We and others have described patients with mutations in the GATA1 N-finger (V205 M, D218G, D218Y, or G208S), who suffer from macrothrombocytopenia and erythrocyte abnormalities. We now show ex vivo that the interaction between GATA1 and FOG1 is indeed disturbed in platelets and erythrocytes of those patients carrying D218 GATA1 mutations. The identification of the human FOG1 gene will enable the genetic screening of patients with non X-linked thrombocytopenia and dyserythropoiesis.
A family with recessive X-linked thrombocytopenia affecting 4 males in 2 generations, characterized by macrothrombocytopenia, profound bleeding, and mild dyserythropoiesis, is described. Microsatellite linkage analysis identified a region of the X chromosome including the GATA-1 gene, which encodes a critical transcription factor involved in erythrocyte and megakaryocyte development. By sequencing the entire coding region of GATA-1, a 2-base mutation was detected that results in a single amino acid substitution (glycine 208 to serine) within a highly conserved portion of the N-terminal zinc finger domain. Restriction fragment length polymorphism confirmed that this novel mutation segregated with the affected males and female carrier. Although not required for DNA binding, Gly208 of GATA-1 is involved in direct interaction with Friend of GATA-1 (FOG), a cofactor required for normal megakaryocytic and erythroid development. These results demonstrate that the GATA-1-FOG interaction is partially disrupted by the mutation and that the greatest effect involves contact with the FOG zinc finger 9. These findings help describe a novel mutation of GATA-1 in humans as a cause of X-linked thrombocytopenia, and they confirm the vital role played by this transcription factor during in vivo megakaryocyte development.
Haematopoietic development is regulated by nuclear protein complexes that coordinate lineage-specific patterns of gene expression. Targeted mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells and mice has revealed roles for the X-linked gene Gata1 in erythrocyte and megakaryocyte differentiation. GATA-1 is the founding member of a family of DNA-binding proteins that recognize the motif WGATAR through a conserved multifunctional domain consisting of two C4-type zinc fingers. Here we describe a family with X-linked dyserythropoietic anaemia and thrombocytopenia due to a substitution of methionine for valine at amino acid 205 of GATA-1. This highly conserved valine is necessary for interaction of the amino-terminal zinc finger of GATA-1 with its essential cofactor, FOG-1 (for friend of GATA-1; refs 9-12). We show that the V205M mutation abrogates the interaction between Gata-1 and Fog-1, inhibiting the ability of Gata-1 to rescue erythroid differentiation in an erythroid cell line deficient for Gata-1 (G1E). Our findings underscore the importance of FOG-1:Gata-1 associations in both megakaryocyte and erythroid development, and suggest that other X-linked anaemias or thrombocytopenias may be caused by defects in GATA1.
Caspase-3 is activated during both terminal differentiation and erythropoietin-starvation-induced apoptosis of human erythroid precursors. The transcription factor GATA-1, which performs an essential function in erythroid differentiation by positively regulating promoters of erythroid and anti-apoptotic genes, is cleaved by caspases in erythroid precursors undergoing cell death upon erythropoietin starvation or engagement of the death receptor Fas. In contrast, by an unknown mechanism, GATA-1 remains uncleaved when these cells undergo terminal differentiation upon stimulation with Epo. Here we show that during differentiation, but not during apoptosis, the chaperone protein Hsp70 protects GATA-1 from caspase-mediated proteolysis. At the onset of caspase activation, Hsp70 co-localizes and interacts with GATA-1 in the nucleus of erythroid precursors undergoing terminal differentiation. In contrast, erythropoietin starvation induces the nuclear export of Hsp70 and the cleavage of GATA-1. In an in vitro assay, Hsp70 protects GATA-1 from caspase-3-mediated proteolysis through its peptide-binding domain. The use of RNA-mediated interference to decrease the Hsp70 content of erythroid precursors cultured in the presence of erythropoietin leads to GATA-1 cleavage, a decrease in haemoglobin content, downregulation of the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L), and cell death by apoptosis. These effects are abrogated by the transduction of a caspase-resistant GATA-1 mutant. Thus, in erythroid precursors undergoing terminal differentiation, Hsp70 prevents active caspase-3 from cleaving GATA-1 and inducing apoptosis.
Defects in the X-linked DNA-binding megakaryocyte transcription factor GATA1 cause thrombocytopenia and abnormal platelet function. However, detailed studies of GATA1 function in platelet activation are lacking. Here, we studied platelets from GATA1-deficient mice and from a male patient (S14) with a bleeding diathesis attributed to a single amino acid substitution (R216Q) in the N-terminal GATA1 zinc finger that alters binding to DNA. In both cases there was inhibition of aggregation to collagen and decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of glycoprotein VI (GPVI)-signaling proteins. This effect was more marked in GATA1-deficient murine platelets, where it was associated with a significant reduction in surface GPVI expression. Moreover, both human and murine GATA1-mutant platelets showed reduced adhesion and aggregate formation on a collagen matrix at an intermediate rate of shear, although this could not be accounted solely by the thrombocytopenia and altered GPVI expression, indicating that GATA1 regulates additional factors important for platelet activation under shear. In contrast, there was no inhibition of responses to G protein-coupled receptor agonists in GATA1-perturbed platelets. Our results are consistent with GATA1 regulating some but not all pathways of platelet activation, leading to an impairment of aggregate formation under flow, which cannot be attributed solely to the thrombocytopenia.
Transcription factor GATA-1 is essential for the development of erythroid cells and megakaryocytes. Each of its 2 zinc fingers is critical for normal function. The C-terminal finger is necessary for DNA binding. The N finger mediates interaction with FOG-1, a cofactor for GATA-1, and also modulates DNA-binding affinity, notably at complex or palindromic GATA sites. Residues of the N finger-mediating interaction with FOG-1 lie on the surface of the N finger facing away from DNA. Strong sequence conservation of residues facing DNA suggests that this other surface may also have an important role. We report here that a syndrome of X-linked thrombocytopenia with thalassemia in humans is caused by a missense mutation (Arg216Gln) in the GATA-1 N finger. To investigate the functional consequences of this substitution, we used site-directed mutagenesis to alter the corresponding residue in GATA-1. Compared with wild-type GATA-1, Arg216Gln GATA-1 shows comparable affinity to single GATA sites but decreased affinity to palindromic sites. Arg216Gln GATA-1 interacts with FOG-1 similarly with wild-type GATA-1. Arg216Gln GATA-1 supports erythroid maturation of GATA-1 erythroid cells, albeit at reduced efficiency compared with wild-type GATA-1. Together, these findings suggest that residues of the N finger of GATA-1-facing DNA contribute to GATA-1 function apart from interaction with the cofactor FOG-1. This is also the first example of beta-thalassemia in humans caused by a mutation in an erythroid transcription factor.
Any process that modulates the rate, frequency, or extent of definitive erythrocyte differentiation. Definitive erythrocyte differentiation occurs as part of the process of definitive hemopoiesis.
Transcription factor GATA-1 is essential for the development of erythroid cells and megakaryocytes. Each of its 2 zinc fingers is critical for normal function. The C-terminal finger is necessary for DNA binding. The N finger mediates interaction with FOG-1, a cofactor for GATA-1, and also modulates DNA-binding affinity, notably at complex or palindromic GATA sites. Residues of the N finger-mediating interaction with FOG-1 lie on the surface of the N finger facing away from DNA. Strong sequence conservation of residues facing DNA suggests that this other surface may also have an important role. We report here that a syndrome of X-linked thrombocytopenia with thalassemia in humans is caused by a missense mutation (Arg216Gln) in the GATA-1 N finger. To investigate the functional consequences of this substitution, we used site-directed mutagenesis to alter the corresponding residue in GATA-1. Compared with wild-type GATA-1, Arg216Gln GATA-1 shows comparable affinity to single GATA sites but decreased affinity to palindromic sites. Arg216Gln GATA-1 interacts with FOG-1 similarly with wild-type GATA-1. Arg216Gln GATA-1 supports erythroid maturation of GATA-1 erythroid cells, albeit at reduced efficiency compared with wild-type GATA-1. Together, these findings suggest that residues of the N finger of GATA-1-facing DNA contribute to GATA-1 function apart from interaction with the cofactor FOG-1. This is also the first example of beta-thalassemia in humans caused by a mutation in an erythroid transcription factor.
GATA-1 is essential for the generation of the erythroid, megakaryocytic, eosinophilic and mast cell lineages. It acts as an activator and repressor of different target genes, for example, in erythroid cells it represses cell proliferation and early hematopoietic genes while activating erythroid genes, yet it is not clear how both of these functions are mediated. Using a biotinylation tagging/proteomics approach in erythroid cells, we describe distinct GATA-1 interactions with the essential hematopoietic factor Gfi-1b, the repressive MeCP1 complex and the chromatin remodeling ACF/WCRF complex, in addition to the known GATA-1/FOG-1 and GATA-1/TAL-1 complexes. Importantly, we show that FOG-1 mediates GATA-1 interactions with the MeCP1 complex, thus providing an explanation for the overlapping functions of these two factors in erythropoiesis. We also show that subsets of GATA-1 gene targets are bound in vivo by distinct complexes, thus linking specific GATA-1 partners to distinct aspects of its functions. Based on these findings, we suggest a model for the different roles of GATA-1 in erythroid differentiation.
Any process that modulates the rate, frequency, or extent of the chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the formation of glycoproteins, any protein that contains covalently bound glycose (i.e. monosaccharide) residues; the glycose occurs most commonly as oligosaccharide or fairly small polysaccharide but occasionally as monosaccharide.
Defects in the X-linked DNA-binding megakaryocyte transcription factor GATA1 cause thrombocytopenia and abnormal platelet function. However, detailed studies of GATA1 function in platelet activation are lacking. Here, we studied platelets from GATA1-deficient mice and from a male patient (S14) with a bleeding diathesis attributed to a single amino acid substitution (R216Q) in the N-terminal GATA1 zinc finger that alters binding to DNA. In both cases there was inhibition of aggregation to collagen and decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of glycoprotein VI (GPVI)-signaling proteins. This effect was more marked in GATA1-deficient murine platelets, where it was associated with a significant reduction in surface GPVI expression. Moreover, both human and murine GATA1-mutant platelets showed reduced adhesion and aggregate formation on a collagen matrix at an intermediate rate of shear, although this could not be accounted solely by the thrombocytopenia and altered GPVI expression, indicating that GATA1 regulates additional factors important for platelet activation under shear. In contrast, there was no inhibition of responses to G protein-coupled receptor agonists in GATA1-perturbed platelets. Our results are consistent with GATA1 regulating some but not all pathways of platelet activation, leading to an impairment of aggregate formation under flow, which cannot be attributed solely to the thrombocytopenia.
The synthesis of RNA from a DNA template by RNA polymerase II, originating at an RNA polymerase II promoter. Includes transcription of messenger RNA (mRNA) and certain small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs).
In man, a shift from gamma- to beta-globin gene expression in erythroblasts underlies a switch from fetal to adult haemoglobin during development. In hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH), inappropriately high gamma-globin expression in adult life is associated with deletions in the beta-globin cluster or with single-base changes upstream of the gamma-globin genes. To account for enhanced gamma-gene expression in HPFH of the non-deletion type, we tested the nuclear proteins of human erythroleukaemia cells that bind gamma-promoter sequences in vitro by correlating specific mutations in their binding sites with promoter activity. An erythroid-specific factor (GF-1) binds as a single molecule to the -195 to -170 region and contacts two TATCT(AGATA) motifs, but not the conserved octamer (ATGCAAAT) that separates them. We observe that a single change (at -175, T----C) found in HPFH leads to increased promoter activity only in erythroid cells. This effect is mediated by GF-1, the human counterpart of the chicken erythroid factor Eryf 1. The form of HPFH we studied here is an inherited disorder which can be ascribed to the action of a cell-specific DNA-binding factor on a mutant promoter.
The formation and maintenance of DNA loops that juxtapose the promoter and enhancer regions of RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes and activate transcription from an RNA polymerase II promoter.
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Pathways
According to Pathway Interaction DB, this protein belongs to the following pathways:
Protein involved in the transfer of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) by DNA-directed RNA polymerase. In the case of some RNA viruses, protein involved in the transfer of genetic information from RNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) by RNA-directed RNA polymerase.
A reference proteome is a set of protein sequences derived from a complete proteome which constitutes a defined standard for a particular user community. Reference proteomes are manually defined according to a number of criteria. They cover the proteomes of well- studied model organisms and other proteomes of interest for biomedical and biotechnological research. Reference proteomes have been selected to provide broad coverage of the tree of life, and constitute a representative cross-section of the taxonomic diversity to be found within UniProtKB.