Expression of the OCT4 transcription factor is associated with an undifferentiated phenotype of human and mouse embryonic stem cells and germ cells. OCT4 (Octamer-4) is a homeodomain transcription factor of the POU family (POU5F1) involved in regulation of pluripotency during normal development and is detectable in embryonic stem (ES) and germ cells. Its expression is associated with an undifferentiated phenotype and tumors. In fact,gene knockdown of OCT4 promotes differentiation,thereby demonstrating a role for this factor in human ES cell self-renewal. As such,it is frequently used as a marker for undifferentiated ES cells or iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells. OCT4 is one of the four key transcription factors (OCT4,SOX2,c-MYC,and KLF4) used to reprogram mouse and human fibroblasts to a pluripotent state as well as generate patient-specific iPS cells.