Function of Oct3/4 and Sox2 in Pluripotency

Transcription factors regulating pluripotency have been extensively studied, and of these, Oct3/4 and Sox2 have been found to play pivotal roles in the molecular mechanism to maintain pluripotency. Both Oct3/4 and Sox2 are necessary to maintain pluripotency in vivo and in ES cells. Oct3/4 and Sox2 can synergistically activate Oct-Sox enhancers, by which many pluripotent stem cell-specific genes are regulated. Many other factors are involved in the regulation of Oct3/4 and Sox2 expression, but these two also regulate themselves by auto-regulatory mechanisms. Possible mechanisms of induction of iPS cells are discussed.