Production of a Monoclonal Antibody Specific for Pou5f1/Oct4

Pou5f1/Oct4, a member of the POU transcription factor family, is exclusively expressed in embryonic stem cells, which are involved in self-renewal and maintaining pluripotency. In the present study, we report on the establishment of a monoclonal antibody that is specific for Oct4 using the rat medial iliac lymph node method. In an immunoblotting analysis, our antibody detected endogenous Oct4. In addition, immunocytochemical staining using the antibody revealed the nuclear localization of Oct4. This monoclonal antibody has the potential for use in the further analysis of Oct4 function in stem cells.