Developmental expression of POU5F1 (OCT-3/4) in normal and dysgenetic human gonads

Abstract

In the human ovary, OCT-3/4 is silenced at the onset of the first meiotic prophase, whereas in the testis, down-regulation of OCT-3/4 is a gradual process associated with differentiation of gonocytes. This normal pattern of expression is disturbed in dysgenetic gonads, especially in rare intersex cases, thus increasing the risk of malignant transformation. The high abundance of OCT-3/4 in CIS cells is consistent with their early fetal origin and pluripotency.