This domain uses four cysteine residues to coordinate a zinc ion. This domain binds to DNA. Two GATA zinc fingers are found in the GATA transcription factors. However there are several proteins which only contain a single copy of the domain.

1: NMR structure of a specific DNA complex of Zn-containing DNA binding domain of GATA-1. Omichinski JG, Clore GM, Schaad O, Felsenfeld G, Trainor C, Appella E, Stahl SJ, Gronenborn AM; Science 1993;261:438-446. PMID:8332909