Constructing a Mouse Oct4 Promoter/EGFP Vector, as a Whole-Cellular Reporter to Monitor the Pluripotent State of Cells.

Background: The transcription factor Oct-4, is an important marker of undifferentiating level and a key regulating factor for maintenance of pluripotency in cells. Establishment of an Oct-4 promoter-based reporter system is an appropriate tool for monitoring the differentiation of embryonic stem cells both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: In the present study, we report construction of a recombinant vector, pDB2 Oct4 promoter/EGFP, in which expression of Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) was controlled by the mouse Oct-4 promoter.