OCT4 Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

This gene encodes a transcription factor containing a POU homeodomain. This transcription factor plays a role in embryonic development, especially during early embryogenesis, and it is necessary for embryonic stem cell pluripotency. A translocation of this gene with the Ewing's sarcoma gene, t(6;22)(p21;q12), has been linked to tumor formation. Alternative splicing, as well as usage of alternative translation initiation codons, results in multiple isoforms, one of which initiates at a non-AUG (CUG) start codon. Related pseudogenes have been identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 8, 10, and 12. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2010]

Oct4: Transcription factor that binds to the octamer motif (5'-ATTTGCAT-3'). Forms a trimeric complex with SOX2 on DNA and controls the expression of a number of genes involved in embryonic development such as YES1, FGF4, UTF1 and ZFP206. Critical for early embryogenesis and for embryonic stem cell pluripotency. Interacts with UBE2I and ZSCAN10. Interacts with PKM2. Interacts with WWP2. Transcriptional activity is positively regulated by PKM2. Expressed in developing brain. Highest levels found in specific cell layers of the cortex, the olfactory bulb, the hippocampus and the cerebellum. Low levels of expression in adult tissues. Belongs to the POU transcription factor family. Class- 5 subfamily. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: DNA-binding; Transcription factor

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 6p21.31

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; transcription factor complex; cytoplasm; cytosol; nucleus

Molecular Function: protein binding; miRNA binding; DNA binding; sequence-specific DNA binding; ubiquitin protein ligase binding; transcription factor binding; transcription factor activity

Biological Process: transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; blastocyst development; anatomical structure morphogenesis; regulation of asymmetric cell division; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; regulation of gene expression; somatic stem cell maintenance; endodermal cell fate specification; response to wounding; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; mRNA transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter