title: GATA-dependent transcriptional and epigenetic control of cardiac lineage specification and differentiation.
abstract: Heart progenitor cells differentiate into various cell types including pacemaker and working cardiomyocytes. Cell-type specific gene expression is achieved by combinatorial interactions between tissue-specific transcription factors (TFs), co-factors, and chromatin remodelers and DNA binding elements in regulatory regions. Dysfunction of these transcriptional networks may result in congenital heart defects. Functional analysis of the regulatory DNA sequences has contributed substantially to the identification of the transcriptional network components and combinatorial interactions regulating the tissue-specific gene programs. GATA TFs have been identified as central players in these networks. In particular, GATA binding elements have emerged as a platform to recruit broadly active histone modification enzymes and cell-type-specific co-factors to drive cell-type-specific gene programs. Here, we discuss the role of GATA factors in cell fate decisions and differentiation in the developing heart.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.stefanovic@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stefanovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. v.m.christoffels@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Christoffels
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D050980:GATA Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006321:Heart / Q000254:growth & development*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D050980:GATA Transcription Factors
keywords: Cell fate decisions; Chambers; Conduction system; GATA transcription factor; Heart development; Histone-modifying enzymes