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Target intelligence / Profile preview
Octamer-binding Transcription Factor 4 (OCT4)
- Target
- OCT4
- Molecular classification
- Transcription factor, POU family homeodomain transcription factor
01
Overview
Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), encoded by the *POU5F1* gene, is a homeodomain transcription factor crucial for maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. It regulates gene expression by binding to octamer DNA motifs and is implicated in various cancers, where its overexpression promotes tumor proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. OCT4 is a potential therapeutic target for anti-cancer strategies, especially those targeting cancer stem-like cells.
- Other names
- OCT-3/4POU class 5 homeobox 1POU5F1
02
Mechanism of action
Small molecule inhibitors targeting OCT4
03
Biological functions
Pluripotency maintenanceSelf-renewalDevelopmental regulationCell cycle controlTranscription regulation
04
Disease associations
CancerPancreatic cancerLung cancerLiver cancerTesticular germ cell tumorsGliomasHepatocellular carcinomaEsophageal squamous cell carcinomaGastric cancerCervical cancerColorectal cancer
05
Safety considerations
Potential for off-target effects due to its role in normal developmentTherapeutic challenges in selectively targeting cancer cells expressing OCT4 without affecting normal stem cells
06
Biomarkers
OCT4 expression level (in cancer)
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