POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 3 (POU2F3)

POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 3 (POU2F3) is a member of the POU family of DNA-binding transcription factors, defined by a conserved POU-specific domain and homeobox domain[2][3]. It acts as a master regulator of tuft cell identity, specifying the differentiation and function of chemosensory tuft cells in various tissues, including the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts[2][1]. In oncology, POU2F3 is a defining marker and dependency of a “variant” small cell lung cancer (SCLC-P subtype) that lacks neuroendocrine features and instead expresses a tuft cell-like program; its activity is required for SCLC-P cell viability and lineage-specific transcriptional regulation[1][2]. POU2F3 interacts with co-activators such as POU2AF2 (C11orf53), which together maintain enhancer activity, chromatin accessibility, and cell survival in the SCLC-P context. POU2F3’s tissue and disease specificity make it a new candidate molecular target for both biomarker-driven cancer classification and potential therapeutic intervention, although direct drug inhibitors or clinical targeting agents have not yet been described[1][2][3].

Other names

Epoc-1OCT-11OCT11OTF-11PLA-1PLA1Skn-1aOTF11Oct-11Transcription factor PLA-1Transcription factor Skn-1POU class 2 homeobox 3

Not directly drugged; targeted by modulating its interaction with chromatin/cofactors or lineage-specific transcriptional programs