Oct4 (Octamer-binding transcription factor-4) and Oct-3/4, also known as POU5F1 (POU class 5 homeobox 1), octamerbinding transcription factor-3 (Oct-3, Otf-3), modulates embryonic stem (ES) cell populations by influencing lineage commitment. Oct-3/4 sustains stem-cell self renewal and differentiation pathways. Transcription factors containing the POU homeodomain regulate tissue-specific gene expression in lymphoid and pituitary differentiation and in early mammalian development. Oct-3/4 is capable of inducing rapid proliferation and tumorigenic properties of ES cells through activation of the UTF1 gene. In humans, two Oct-3/4 isoforms contribute to influencing the undifferentiated phenotype of ES cells. Oct-3/4 pseudogenes localizing to human chromosomes 10 and 8 are reported to be transcribed in certain cancer cell lines and tissues.