Interactions of GATA-2 with the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) protein, its homologue FAZF, and the t(11;17)-generated PLZF–retinoic acid receptor alpha oncoprotein

Transcription factor GATA-2 is implicated in the survival and growth of multipotential progenitors. Here we report that the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) protein can interact with GATA-2 and can modify its transactivation capacity. Fanconi anemia zinc finger (FAZF), a PLZF-homologous protein that has been variously described as ROG (repressor of GATA), and TZFP (testis zinc finger protein) also interact with GATA-2. The zinc finger region of GATA-2 is required for binding to PLZF and FAZF, but distinct interfaces on the PLZF and FAZF molecules mediate the interaction, suggesting that GATA-2 activity is controlled by these 2 homologous proteins through distinct mechanisms. GATA-2 can also physically associate with the PLZF-RARα fusion protein generated by the t(11;17) chromosomal translocation associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Functional experiments showed that this interaction has the capacity to render GATA-dependent transcription responsive to treatment with a combination of all-trans retinoic acid and the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). This combination of drugs has been shown to stimulate the terminal differentiation of leukemic t(11;17)-associated APL blasts, raising the possibility that GATA target genes may be involved in the molecular pathogenesis of APL.