title: Combinatorial regulation of tissue specification by GATA and FOG factors.
abstract: The development of complex organisms requires the formation of diverse cell types from common stem and progenitor cells. GATA family transcriptional regulators and their dedicated co-factors, termed Friend of GATA (FOG) proteins, control cell fate and differentiation in multiple tissue types from Drosophila to man. FOGs can both facilitate and antagonize GATA factor transcriptional regulation depending on the factor, cell, and even the specific gene target. In this review, we highlight recent studies that have elucidated mechanisms by which FOGs regulate GATA factor function and discuss how these factors use these diverse modes of gene regulation to control cell lineage specification throughout metazoans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611,  USA.
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Chlon
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Crispino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050980:GATA Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D050980:GATA Transcription Factors; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C498432:ZFPM1 protein, human