Background:

OAC1 is an activator of Oct4 [1].

Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) is a regulator of embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency and the reprogramming process. High expression of Oct4 results in differentiation of ESCs along the mesodermal and primitive endodermal lineages. However, low expression of Oct4 leads to differentiation of ESCs into trophectodermal cells [1].

OAC1 is an Oct4 activator. In luciferase reporter assays, OAC1 activated both human Oct4 and Nanog promoter-driven luciferase reporter genes. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with the 4F reprogramming quartet Oct4, Klf4, Sox2, and c-Myc, OAC1 enhanced reprogramming efficiency and increased the number of colonies with ESC-like morphology by twofold or more. Also, OAC1 increased induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-like colonies. OAC1 had no effects on the Wnt signaling and p53-p21 expression. In MEFs, OAC1 activated the expression of endogenous Oct4 and Nanog. Also, OAC1 increased the expression of Sox2 and Tet1 [1].

Reference:
[1].  Li W, Tian E, Chen ZX, et al. Identification of Oct4-activating compounds that enhance reprogramming efficiency. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2012, 109(51): 20853-20858.