The self-renewal function of Oct-4 can be replaced by the EWS-Oct-4 fusion protein in embryonic stem cells.

ABSTRACT: Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct-4) is essential for maintenance and pluripotency of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Despite the structural similarities between Oct-4 and its homologs (Oct-1, Oct-2, and Oct-6), these homologs cannot serve as substitutes for Oct-4 when generating stem cell colonies. While nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 2 (Nr5a2) can temporarily serve as a substitute for Oct-4 during cellular reprogramming, it is insufficient to maintain these functions in ES cells. The EWS-Oct-4 fusion protein, which was identified in human tumors, is a viable alternative that can potentially sustain and enhance ES cell functions. This study used ZHBTc4 ES cells, which have tetracycline-regulated Oct-4 expression, to explore the capabilities of EWS-Oct-4. It employed a

SUBMITTER: Lee EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12008092 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature