The role of GATA in mammalian reproduction

Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2003 Dec;228(11):1282-90. doi: 10.1177/153537020322801107.

Abstract

GATA transcription factors are emerging as critical players in mammalian reproductive development and function. GATA-4 contributes to fetal male gonadal development by regulating genes mediating Müllerian duct regression and the onset of testosterone production. GATA-2 expression appears to be sexually dimorphic being transiently expressed in the germ cell lineage of the fetal ovary but not the fetal testis. In the reproductive system, GATA-1 is exclusively expressed in Sertoli cells at specific seminiferous tubule stages. In addition, GATA-4 and GATA-6 are localized primary to ovarian and testicular somatic cells. The majority of cell transfection studies demonstrate that GATA-1 and GATA-4 can stimulate inhibin subunit gene promoter constructs. Other studies provide strong evidence that GATA-4 and GATA-6 can activate genes mediating gonadal cell steroidogenesis. GATA-2 and GATA-3 are found in pituitary and placental cells and can regulate alpha-glycoprotein subunit gene expression. Gonadal expression and activation of GATAs appear to be regulated in part by gonadotropin signaling via the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A pathway. This review will cover the current knowledge regarding GATA expression and function at all levels of the reproductive axis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Female
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiology
  • Male
  • Ovary / embryology
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • Placenta / physiology
  • Reproduction / genetics
  • Reproduction / physiology*
  • Sex Determination Processes
  • Sex Differentiation
  • Steroids / biosynthesis
  • Testis / embryology
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor
  • Steroids
  • Transcription Factors