Three members of the GATA family of transcription factors, GATA-4, -5, and -6, are expressed in the developing heart. One family member, GATA-5, is restricted to the endocardium while the other two, GATA-4 and -6, are present in the myocardium where they apparently fulfil distinct functions. The mechanisms underlying GATA factor specificity are not fully understood but may involve interaction with other tissue-restricted or ubiquitous co-factors. Thus, combinatorial interaction among GATA factors or between GATA factors and other co-factors may differentially control various stages of cardiogenesis.
