Regulation of MMP production in COPD may occur at a transcriptional level; it has been shown that several proteins, including early-growth response gene product 1 (EGR1), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), globin transcription factor 1 (GATA1), activator protein 1 family members (AP-1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3C), affect the MMP gene family. The gene discussed is GATA1; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.