Transcriptional regulation of the Oct4 gene, a master gene for pluripotency

Abstract

Oct4 is one of the most importanttranscription factors required to maintain anundifferentiated state (self-renewal) and pluripotency ofhuman and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells as well asearly embryonic cells. In addition, Oct4 is the onlyknown transcription factor that has to be exogenouslyintroduced into differentiated cells to make inducedpluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Therefore, it is of greatimportance to understand howOct4transcription isregulated in ES cells and embryos and how it becomesactivated during iPS cell formation. In this article, wewill review the regulation of the mouse Oct4gene fromthe viewpoint of DNA methylation, binding of orphannuclear receptors, histone modifications and synergisticeffects with other pluripotency factors. We will also raiseseveral key questions that need to be addressed in futurework to improve our understanding of Oct4generegulation and its essential role in self-renewal andpluripotency.