title: Role of GATA factors in development, differentiation, and homeostasis of the small intestinal epithelium.
abstract: The small intestinal epithelium develops from embryonic endoderm into a highly specialized layer of cells perfectly suited for the digestion and absorption of nutrients. The development, differentiation, and regeneration of the small intestinal epithelium require complex gene regulatory networks involving multiple context-specific transcription factors. The evolutionarily conserved GATA family of transcription factors, well known for its role in hematopoiesis, is essential for the development of endoderm during embryogenesis and the renewal of the differentiated epithelium in the mature gut. We review the role of GATA factors in the evolution and development of endoderm and summarize our current understanding of the function of GATA factors in the mature small intestine. We offer perspective on the application of epigenetics approaches to define the mechanisms underlying context-specific GATA gene regulation during intestinal development.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts;
authors.forename: Boaz E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Aronson
authors.forename: Kelly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Krasinski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D004707:Endoderm / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D050980:GATA Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D050991:GATA4 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics; D050993:GATA6 Transcription Factor / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000254:growth & development; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D050980:GATA Transcription Factors; D050991:GATA4 Transcription Factor; D050993:GATA6 Transcription Factor
keywords: GATA; endoderm; intestinal development; intestinal differentiation; intestinal epithelium