Human Homeobox Protein Nanog, NANOG ELI

Transcription regulator involved in inner cell mass and embryonic stem (ES) cells proliferation and self-renewal.

Imposes pluripotency on ES cells and prevents their differentiation towards extraembryonic endoderm and trophectoderm lineages.

Blocks bone morphogenetic protein-induced mesoderm differentiation of ES cells by physically interacting with SMAD1 and interfering with the recruitment of coactivators to the active SMAD transcriptional complexes.

Acts as a transcriptional activator or repressor.

Binds optimally to the DNA consensus sequence 5'-TAAT[GT][GT]-3' or 5'-[CG][GA][CG]C[GC]ATTAN[GC]-3'.

Binds to the POU5F1/OCT4 promoter (PubMed: 25825768).

Able to autorepress its expression in differentiating (ES) cells: binds to its own promoter following interaction with ZNF281/ZFP281, leading to recruitment of the NuRD complex and subsequent repression of expression.

When overexpressed, promotes cells to enter into S phase and proliferation.