Oct-4 (POU5F1) is transcription factor that binds to the octamer motif (5'-ATTTGCAT-3'). It forms a trimeric complex with SOX2 on DNA and controls the expression of a number of genes involved in embryonic development such as YES1, FGF4, UTF1 and ZFP206. Oct-4 is critical for early embryogenesis and for embryonic stem cell pluripotency. It is expressed in developing brain and highest levels also found in specific cell layers of the cortex, the olfactory bulb, the hippocampus and the cerebellum.