Abstract
The transcription factor Oct-4 is expressed specifically in the totipotent germline cycle of mice. Cells that lose Oct-4 differentiate along different paths to form embryonic and extraembryonic somatic tissue. Oct-4 may maintain the potency of stem and germline cells by preventing all other differentiation pathways. Oct-4 may also regulate the molecular differentiation of cells in the germ lineage as it progresses from the fertilized egg, through cleavage stage/morula blastomeres, blastocyst, inner cell mass, epiblast, germ cells, and gametes. The factors that regulate, and are regulated by, Oct-4 are reviewed with respect to the phenomena of cell potency and germ/soma segregation and differentiation.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Differentiation
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Cell Line
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Cell Lineage
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
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Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
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Drosophila melanogaster / embryology
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Embryonic and Fetal Development / genetics*
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
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Germ Cells / cytology*
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Humans
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Male
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Meiosis / genetics
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Mice / embryology
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Mice / genetics
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Multigene Family
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Octamer Transcription Factor-3
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Species Specificity
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / physiology*
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Vertebrates / anatomy & histology
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Vertebrates / embryology
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Octamer Transcription Factor-3
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POU5F1 protein, human
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Pou5f1 protein, mouse
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Transcription Factors