The long isoform of the ELT-3 GATA factor can specify endoderm when overexpressed.

The gene encodes a GATA transcription factor that is expressed in the hypodermis and has roles in hypodermal specification and regulation of collagen and stress response genes. The gene encodes short and long isoforms, ELT-3A and ELT-3B respectively, that differ upstream of their DNA-binding domains. Previous work showed that ELT-3A can specify hypodermal cell fates when forcibly overexpressed throughout early embryos. We recently showed that the ELT-3B orthologue from the distantly related species can specify endodermal fates when forcibly overexpressed in Here, we show that ELT-3B can also specify endoderm.