Strict regulations of the Gata1 and Gata2 genes are critical for proper lineage commitment
and development of erythroid cells. It has been shown in transgenic mouse analyses that cis-
acting GATA binding motifs are critical for the expression of Gata1 and Gata2 genes.
Furthermore, expression of Gata1 and Gata2 genes along with a set of erythroid genes
appeared to be regulated by GATA factor switching.

Erythroid differentiation is controlled by the dynamic exchange of GATA family transcription
factors. During early erythroid maturation, high GATA2 levels activate progenitor genes such
as c-kit-, c-myc, and GATA2 itself. In contrast, GATA1 levels are low in early progenitor cells,
but rise during terminal maturation. During this process GATA1 turns off GATA2 controlled
early progenitor genes and activates terminal maturation genes, such as globin genes,
heme biosynthesis enzymes, and iron transporters. This involves the exchange of GATA1 for …