论文部分内容阅读
The POU domain transcription factor Oct-4 (POU5F1 or Oct-3) is a member of the homeobox gene family and is specifically expressed in totipotent mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) and germ cells.It is considered to be a gatekeeper in the early steps of mammalian embryogenesis because of its pivotal role in the regulation and maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal of ES cells.Expression of Oct-4 is downregulated when embryonic stem cells are triggered to differentiate and is lost in normal somatic cells of differentiated tissues.