Octamer transcription factors are afamily oftranscription factors which binds to the "ATTTGCAT"DNA sequence.[1] TheirDNA-binding domain is aPOU domain.
There are eight Octamer proteins in humans (Oct1–11),[2] which have been renamed according to the different classes of POU domain.[3] Octamer-3/4, also known asPOU5F1, is one of theYamanaka factors, which are critical for the maintenance andself-renewal ofembryonic stem cells.[3] On the other hand, Oct-1 and Oct-2 are widely expressed in adult tissues.[3] Oct-7, 8 and 9, also known as "brain factors", are predominantly expressed in thecentral nervous system duringembryonic development.[3] Oct-6 expression is confined to embryonic stem cells and the developing nervous system and skin, while Oct-11 is also involved in skin differentiation.[3]