POU5F1/OCT4 Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

This gene encodes a transcription factor containing a POU homeodomain that plays a key role in embryonic development and stem cell pluripotency. Aberrant expression of this gene in adult tissues is associated with tumorigenesis. This gene can participate in a translocation with the Ewing's sarcoma gene on chromosome 21, which also leads to tumor formation. Alternative splicing, as well as usage of alternative AUG and non-AUG translation initiation codons, results in multiple isoforms. One of the AUG start codons is polymorphic in human populations. Related pseudogenes have been identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 8, 10, and 12. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2013]

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: 6p21.33

Cellular Component: cytoplasm; cytosol; nucleoplasm; nucleus

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

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