The C-terminal zinc finger of GATA-1 or GATA-2 is sufficient to induce megakaryocytic differentiation of an early myeloid cell line

Abstract

The GATA-1 and GATA-2 transcription factors, which each contain two homologous zinc fingers, are important hematopoietic regulators expressed within the erythroid, mast cell, and megakaryocytic lineages. Enforced expression of either factor in the primitive myeloid line 416B induces megakaryocytic differentiation. The features of their structure required for this activity have been explored. The ability of 12 GATA-1 mutants to promote 416B maturation was compared with their DNA-binding activity and transactivation potential. Differentiation did not require any of the seven serine residues that are phosphorylated in vivo, an N-terminal region bearing the major transactivation domain, or a C-t..