Oct transcription factors in development and stem cells: insights and mechanisms

The POU domain family of transcription factors regulates developmental processes ranging from specification of the early embryo to terminal differentiation. About half of these factors display substantial affinity for an 8 bp DNA site termed the octamer motif, and are hence known as Oct proteins. Oct4 (Pou5f1) is a well-known Oct factor, but there are other Oct proteins with varied and essential roles in development. This Primer outlines our current understanding of Oct proteins and the regulatory mechanisms that govern their role in developmental processes and concludes with the assertion that more investigation into their developmental functions is needed.