POU class 5 homeobox 1 (POU5F1)

POU class 5 homeobox 1 (POU5F1), commonly known as Oct-4, is a transcription factor of the POU homeodomain family that is critically involved in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal in embryonic stem cells[3][4][7]. It binds DNA at octamer motifs and regulates expression of key genes required for early embryonic development, stem cell identity, and cellular reprogramming[4][7]. Proper expression is highly regulated; overexpression or aberrant reactivation in adult tissues is associated with tumorigenesis, increased proliferation, cancer cell "stemness," and resistance to multiple chemotherapeutics[1][2][7]. Oct-4 is one of the canonical "Yamanaka factors" used to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from adult somatic cells, emphasizing its central role in cell fate determination[7]. In cancers, high POU5F1 expression is linked to poor prognosis, metastasis, and drug resistance, making it both a biomarker and potential therapeutic target in oncology[2][7].

Other names

Oct-4OCT4Oct4Oct-3Oct3/4OTF3OTF-3OTF4OTF-4NF-A3MGC22487Octamer-binding transcription factor 4Octamer-binding protein 4POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1POU domain transcription factor OCT4Octamer-binding protein 3Octamer-binding transcription factor 3POU5F1B

Inhibition of POU5F1 expression (e.g., ATRA suppresses function, blocking downstream EMT/cancer progression); Targeting pluripotency maintenance pathways