New type of POU domain in germ line-specific protein Oct-4.
Members of a family of murine octamer-binding proteins interact specifically with the octamer motif, a transcription regulatory element found in the promoter and enhancer regions of many genes. Oct-4 is a maternally expressed protein that is also present in the pre-implantation mouse embryo. Although many regulatory proteins are expressed in post-implantation embryos, transcription factors regulating pre-implantation processes have remained elusive. The Oct-4 gene is therefore a prime candidate for an early developmental control gene. Here we report the complementary DNA cloning of the mouse Oct-4 gene, and the characterization of the encoded protein(s) by sequential in vitro transcription, translation, DNA-binding and protease-clipping analysis. Deletion analysis shows that the DNA-binding activity is mediated by a POU domain encoded in an open reading frame corresponding to a 324-amino-acid protein. Sequence comparison with known POU domains reveals that Oct-4 is a novel member of the POU-family.
Schöler
H R
HR
Max-Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Göttingen, FRG.
Ruppert
S
S
Suzuki
N
N
Chowdhury
K
K
Gruss
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000032:analysis; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; D009865:Oocytes / Q000032:analysis; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C494174:Pou5f1 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases