GATA4 is a member of the GATA family of zinc-finger transcription factors. Members of this family recognize the GATA motif which is present in the promoters of many genes. GATA4 is crucial for cardiomyocyte differentiation, and not surprisingly, mutations in the GATA4 gene are implicated in many cardiac diseases, such as tetralogy of Fallot, familial and sporadic dilated cardiomyopathy, and atrial septal defect. GATA4 and GATA6 together maintain intestinal epithelial structure by regulating enterocyte gene expression. Both GATA4 and GATA6 are found in heart, pancreas and ovary; lung and liver tissues exhibit GATA6, but not GATA4 expression.
