title: The Oct4 protein: more than a magic stemness marker.
abstract: The Oct4 protein, encoded by the Pou5f1 gene was the very first master gene, discovered 25 years ago, to be absolutely required for the stemness properties of murine and primate embryonic stem cells. This transcription factor, which has also been shown to be essential for somatic cell reprogrammation, displays various functions depending upon its level of expression and has been quoted as a "rheostat" gene. Oct4 protein is in complexes with many different partners and its activity depends upon fine post-translational modifications. This review aims at revisiting some properties of this protein, which has not yet delivered all its potentialities.
authors.affiliation: Lebanese University Beyrouth, Liban.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zeineddine
authors.affiliation: Lebanese University Beyrouth, Liban ; Univ. Bordeaux, CIRID, UMR 5164 F-33 000 Bordeaux, France ; CNRS, CIRID, UMR 5164 F-33 000 Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Aya Abou
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hammoud
authors.affiliation: Lebanese University Beyrouth, Liban.
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mortada
authors.affiliation: Univ. Bordeaux, CIRID, UMR 5164 F-33 000 Bordeaux, France ; CNRS, CIRID, UMR 5164 F-33 000 Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boeuf
keywords: Oct4/ Pou5f1; cancer stem cells; cell lineages; embryonic stem cells; pluripotency