Oct4 expression revisited: potential pitfalls for data misinterpretation in stem cell research
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Stefanie Liedtke
Abstract
The octamer-binding transcription factor 4 gene encodes a nuclear protein (Oct4, also known as Pou5F1 and Oct3/4) that belongs to a family of transcription factors containing the POU DNA-binding domain. Expression can be detected in embryonic stem cells as well as in adult stem cells, such as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Expression of Oct4 is downregulated coincident with stem cell differentiation and loss of expression leading to differentiation. A role for maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells is ascribed to Oct4 as a pluripotency marker. Results describing Oct4 expression in differentiated cells, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), neonatal and adult stem cells, as well as cancer cells, must be interpreted with caution. In several publications, Oct4 has been ascribed a function in maintaining self-renewal of adult stem cells. In contrast, other publications reported Oct4 expression in human tumor cells. Here, we summarize the recent findings on Oct4 expression and present possibilities and reasons why several false positive results on Oct4 expression still occur in the recent literature. Also, simple solutions are provided to avoid these positive signals.
©2008 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
Articles in the same Issue
- Guest Editorial
- Highlight: Self-renewal signaling in stem cells
- Commentary
- Commentary: Highlight on stem cell research
- Highlight: Self-Renewal Signaling in Stem Cells
- Prospective of Ras signaling in stem cells
- Prowling wolves in sheep's clothing: the search for tumor stem cells
- Lineage development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
- Plasticity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Adult progenitor cells in vascular remodeling during atherosclerosis
- Oct4 expression revisited: potential pitfalls for data misinterpretation in stem cell research
- Generation of transducible versions of transcription factors Oct4 and Sox2
- Cytokine combinations differentially influence the SDF-1α-dependent migratory activity of cultivated murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
- Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation does not improve quality of muscle reinnervation or recovery of motor function after facial nerve transection in rats
- In vitro differentiation of reprogrammed murine somatic cells into hepatic precursor cells
- The WNT receptor FZD7 contributes to self-renewal signaling of human embryonic stem cells
- Genes and Nucleic Acids
- Elimination of hop latent viroid upon developmental activation of pollen nucleases
- Protein Structure and Function
- Solution structure of Phl p 3, a major allergen from timothy grass pollen
- A hypoallergenic hybrid molecule with increased immunogenicity consisting of derivatives of the major grass pollen allergens, Phl p 2 and Phl p 6
- Cell Biology and Signaling
- Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits endothelial exocytosis
- Proteolysis
- Dimerization of endogenous MT1-MMP is a regulatory step in the activation of the 72-kDa gelatinase MMP-2 on fibroblasts and fibrosarcoma cells
- Reconstitution of human azurocidin catalytic triad and proteolytic activity by site-directed mutagenesis
Articles in the same Issue
- Guest Editorial
- Highlight: Self-renewal signaling in stem cells
- Commentary
- Commentary: Highlight on stem cell research
- Highlight: Self-Renewal Signaling in Stem Cells
- Prospective of Ras signaling in stem cells
- Prowling wolves in sheep's clothing: the search for tumor stem cells
- Lineage development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
- Plasticity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Adult progenitor cells in vascular remodeling during atherosclerosis
- Oct4 expression revisited: potential pitfalls for data misinterpretation in stem cell research
- Generation of transducible versions of transcription factors Oct4 and Sox2
- Cytokine combinations differentially influence the SDF-1α-dependent migratory activity of cultivated murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
- Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation does not improve quality of muscle reinnervation or recovery of motor function after facial nerve transection in rats
- In vitro differentiation of reprogrammed murine somatic cells into hepatic precursor cells
- The WNT receptor FZD7 contributes to self-renewal signaling of human embryonic stem cells
- Genes and Nucleic Acids
- Elimination of hop latent viroid upon developmental activation of pollen nucleases
- Protein Structure and Function
- Solution structure of Phl p 3, a major allergen from timothy grass pollen
- A hypoallergenic hybrid molecule with increased immunogenicity consisting of derivatives of the major grass pollen allergens, Phl p 2 and Phl p 6
- Cell Biology and Signaling
- Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits endothelial exocytosis
- Proteolysis
- Dimerization of endogenous MT1-MMP is a regulatory step in the activation of the 72-kDa gelatinase MMP-2 on fibroblasts and fibrosarcoma cells
- Reconstitution of human azurocidin catalytic triad and proteolytic activity by site-directed mutagenesis
