Transcription Factor

A regulatory protein that binds to DNA and affects the transcription of specific genes.

The four reprogramming factors, Oct-4, SOX2, Klf-4 and c-Myc function as transcription factors- they are capable of binding to the DNA to control the transcription of a unique set of genes.  Together, Oct-4, SOX2, Klf-4 and c-Myc induce the expression of genes that are not normally expressed in the fibroblast, but are expressed in pluripotent stem cells.  The four transcription factors continue to drive transcription of their downstream genes leading to the activation of other transcriptional networks, inducing a cascade of transcriptional activity.