Genes for members of the GATA-binding protein family (GATA-GT1 and GATA-GT2) together with H+/K(+)-ATPase are specifically transcribed in gastric parietal cells.

mRNAs for novel DNA-binding proteins (GATA-GT1 and GATA-GT2) recognizing the (G/C)PuPu(G/C)NGAT(A/T)PuPy sequence and H+/K(+)-ATPase (proton pump) alpha subunit were detected in parietal cells of the rat gastric body mucosa by in situ hybridization. These results suggest that GATA-GT1 and GATA-GT2 together with H+/K(+)-ATPase are transcribed specifically in gastric parietal cells and that the two DNA-binding proteins may have important roles in cell specific gene regulation. Furthermore, we could detect parietal cells in different states of gene expression.