This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate course at UW-Madison.
Gene Ontology
What is Gene Ontology?
Gene ontology (GO) is an attempt to develop a common vocabulary across species to categorize the function of genes and gene products. There are three components that make up gene ontology:
1. Biological Process: The different processes of which a gene product contributes to that are vital to an organism's survival.
2. Cellular Component: The location in a cell where a gene product is active.
3. Molecular Function: The biochemical activity (functions) of a gene product (1).
AMiGO, a gene ontology database, was used to find the following GO terms and to create the trees that can be seen below.
1. Biological Process: The different processes of which a gene product contributes to that are vital to an organism's survival.
2. Cellular Component: The location in a cell where a gene product is active.
3. Molecular Function: The biochemical activity (functions) of a gene product (1).
AMiGO, a gene ontology database, was used to find the following GO terms and to create the trees that can be seen below.
Gata2 Gene Ontology
Analysis
The GO terms found are consistent with primary literature and current characterization of GATA2 function. GATA2 localizes in the nucleus, which makes sense given it belongs to a family of transcription factors. The molecular function consisted of a variety of binding sites, which is also characteristic of transcription factors. The major biological process to note is the regulation of body fluid levels. Mutations in GATA2 observed in ES patients limit the ability to regulate body fluid levels, leading to a buildup of lymph and the swelling of limbs.
References:
1) Ashburner, Michael et al. (2000). Gene Ontology: tool for the unification of biology. Nature Genetics, 25(1): 25-29.
2) AmiGO 2: http://amigo.geneontology.org/rte