Expression of the oct-2 gene was studied in mouse tissues and during in vitro differentiation of embryocarcinoma PCC4, mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2A and NB41A3 cells in the presence of retinoic acid (RA) or 1% DMSO. oct-2 mRNA is characterized by a complex pattern and exists in both poly(A)+ and poly(A)- forms. oct-2 mRNA was found in many cell lines, whereas Oct-2 protein was detected only in some of these cells. oct-2 expression also changed during cell differentiation. The cell differentiation is likely to be controlled not only at the gene transcription level, but also at the level of regulation of nuclear transcription factor activity. Such a regulatory mechanism would provide for a finer regulation of cell differentiation.