This gene encodes 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. This protein is thought to regulate genes involved in embryogenesis and in myocardial differentiation and function, and is necessary for normal testicular development. Mutations in this gene have been associated with cardiac septal defects. Additionally, alterations in gene expression have been associated with several cancer types. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2015],disease:Defects in GATA4 are the cause of atrial septal defect type 2 (ASD2) [MIM:607941]. ASD2 is a congenital heart malformation characterized by incomplete closure of the wall between the atria resulting in blood flow from the left to the right atria. ASD2 patients show other heart abnormalities including ventricular and atrioventricular septal defects, pulmonary valve thickening or insufficiency of the cardiac valves. ASD2 is not associated with defects in the cardiac conduction system or non-cardiac abnormalities.,function:Transcriptional activator. Binds to the consensus sequence 5-AGATAG-3. Acts as a transcriptional activator of ANF in cooperation with NKX2-5.,similarity:Contains 2 GATA-type zinc fingers.,subunit:Interacts with ZNF260 (By similarity). Interacts with the homeobox domain of NKX2-5 through its C-terminal zinc finger. Also interacts with JARID2 which represses its ability to activate transcription of ANF. Interacts with NFATC4.,
