Differential expression of the Oct-4 transcription factor during mouse germ cell differentiation.

The POU transcription factor Oct-4 is expressed in early mouse embryogenesis and in pluripotent ES and EC stem cell lines. After gastrulation in the embryo, Oct-4 expression is confined to the germline. The present study provides evidence that Oct-4 undergoes downregulation during oogenesis and spermatogenesis, coincident with entry into meiosis. Furthermore, analysis of maturation stages of oocytes showed that Oct-4 is upregulated de novo in the final stages of meiotic prophase I in female germ cells. These data suggest that Oct-4 downregulation in germ cells in both sexes might represent one of the molecular triggers involved in the commitment to meiosis. The upregulation of Oct-4 in oocytes at the completion of the prophase I of meiotic division further suggests a specific involvement of this transcription factor in oocyte growth or the acquisition of meiotic competence.