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: Transcription factor; DNA-binding
Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; transcription factor complex; transcriptional repressor complex; cytoplasm; nucleolus; nucleus; cytosol
Molecular Function: protein binding; miRNA binding; DNA binding; protein heterodimerization activity; sequence-specific DNA binding; chromatin DNA binding; ubiquitin protein ligase binding; chromatin binding; transcription factor binding; transcription corepressor activity; transcription factor activity
Biological Process: transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; negative regulation of calcium ion-dependent exocytosis; endodermal cell fate commitment; somatic stem cell maintenance; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; endodermal cell fate specification; multicellular organismal development; ectodermal cell fate commitment; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; mesodermal cell fate commitment; response to organic substance; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; blastocyst growth; cell fate commitment; response to retinoic acid; negative regulation of protein kinase B signaling cascade; transcription, DNA-dependent; stem cell maintenance; germ-line stem cell maintenance; stem cell differentiation; mRNA transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; trophectodermal cell differentiation; positive regulation of protein kinase B signaling cascade; negative regulation of cell differentiation; regulation of gene expression; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; negative regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent
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