OCT3; OCT4; OTF3; OTF4; OTF-3; Oct-3; Oct-4; MGC22487; POU5F1

This gene encodes a transcription factor containing a POU homeodomain. This transcription factor plays a role in embryonic development, especially during early embryogenesis, and it is necessary for embryonic stem cell pluripotency. A translocation of this gene with the Ewing's sarcoma gene, t(6;22)(p21;q12), has been linked to tumor formation. Alternative splicing, as well as usage of alternative translation initiation codons, results in multiple isoforms, one of which initiates at a non-AUG (CUG) start codon. Related pseudogenes have been identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 8, 10, and 12. (provided by RefSeq).Tissue specificity: 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.