GATA3 controls mitochondrial biogenesis in primary human CD4+ T cells during DNA damage

GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) has conventionally been regarded as a lineage-specific transcription factor that drives the differentiation of CD4+ T helper (Th) 2 cells. However, increasing evidence shows that in addition to regulating T cell development, GATA3 is also involved in a myriad of processes such as immune regulation, proliferation and maintenance in other T cell and non-T cell lineages. Here we identify a previously unknown function for this molecule whereby in the presence of DNA damage GATA3 can induce mitochondrial biogenesis and promote mitochondrial fitness through the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α (PGC1α) in CD4+ T cells. These findings extend the pleotropic nature of GATA3 and highlight the potential for GATA3-targeted cell manipulation for clinical interventions.