Whole genome duplications and expansion of the vertebrate GATA transcription factor gene family.

ABSTRACT:

Background

GATA transcription factors influence many developmental processes, including the specification of embryonic germ layers. The GATA gene family has significantly expanded in many animal lineages: whereas diverse cnidarians have only one GATA transcription factor, six GATA genes have been identified in many vertebrates, five in many insects, and eleven to thirteen in Caenorhabditis nematodes. All bilaterian animal genomes have at least one member each of two classes, GATA123 and GATA456.

Results

We have identified one GATA123 gene and one GATA456 gene from the genomic sequence of two invertebrate deuterostomes, a cephalochordate (Branchiostoma floridae) and a hemichordate (Saccoglossus kowalevskii). We also have confirmed the presence of six GATA genes in all vertebr

SUBMITTER: Gillis WQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2857956 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature