Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Stem Cells. 2010 May;28(5):885-93. doi: 10.1002/stem.419.
The human OCT4 gene can generate at least three transcripts (OCT4A, OCT4B, and OCT4B1) and four protein isoforms (OCT4A, OCT4B-190, OCT4B-265, and OCT4B-164) by alternative splicing and alternative translation initiation. OCT4A is a transcription factor responsible for the pluripotency properties of embryonic stem (ES) cells. While OCT4B cannot sustain ES cell self-renewal, it may respond to cell stresses. Yet, the function of OCT4B1 is still unclear. Lack of distinction of OCT4 isoforms could lead to confusions and controversies on OCT4 in various tissues and cells. One important issue we emphasize in this review article is that alternatively spliced transcripts and alternative translation products of OCT4 exhibit diverse expression patterns and functions. Furthermore, simple approaches and methods to detect and distinguish OCT4 isoforms are discussed. This article underscores the importance of identifying and discriminating the expression and functions of OCT4 isoforms in stem cell research.
人类 OCT4 基因可以通过选择性剪接和选择性翻译起始产生至少三种转录本（OCT4A、OCT4B 和 OCT4B1）和四种蛋白异构体（OCT4A、OCT4B-190、OCT4B-265 和 OCT4B-164）。OCT4A 是一种转录因子，负责胚胎干细胞（ES 细胞）的多能性特性。虽然 OCT4B 不能维持 ES 细胞的自我更新，但它可能对细胞应激做出反应。然而，OCT4B1 的功能仍不清楚。OCT4 异构体缺乏区分可能导致在各种组织和细胞中 OCT4 出现混淆和争议。我们在这篇综述文章中强调的一个重要问题是，OCT4 的选择性剪接转录本和选择性翻译产物表现出不同的表达模式和功能。此外，还讨论了检测和区分 OCT4 异构体的简单方法和技术。本文强调了在干细胞研究中识别和区分 OCT4 异构体的表达和功能的重要性。
