Date published: 2026-4-25

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Oct-4 Activators

Oct-4, also known as Octamer-binding transcription factor 4, is a pivotal regulatory protein that plays a critical role in the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal in embryonic stem cells. As a member of the POU family of transcription factors, Oct-4 is essential in the early stages of embryonic development and is a key component in the regulatory circuitry that keeps cells in an undifferentiated state. It functions by binding to octamer motifs in the promoter regions of target genes, thereby controlling the transcription of genes that are integral for stem cell pluripotency and lineage commitment. The expression levels of Oct-4 are meticulously regulated, as both the diminishment and overexpression can lead to differentiation and loss of pluripotency, underscoring its importance in cellular fate determination.Several chemical compounds have been identified to potentially induce the expression of Oct-4, utilizing diverse molecular pathways to influence its transcriptional activity. Forskolin, for instance, is known to elevate intracellular cAMP levels, subsequently activating protein kinase A, which is thought to encourage the transcription of Oct-4. Similarly, compounds like 5-Azacytidine and Trichostatin A target epigenetic modifications5-Azacytidine by inhibiting DNA methylation and Trichostatin A by preventing histone deacetylationboth of which can lead to a more open chromatin structure and increased accessibility of the Oct-4 promoter to transcriptional machinery. The HDAC inhibitors, such as Valproic acid and Sodium butyrate, also work to create an acetylated state of histones, promoting gene activation. Moreover, signaling molecules like Leukemia inhibitory factor and components of the Wnt pathway, activated by agents such as Lithium chloride, can trigger intracellular cascades that culminate in the upregulation of Oct-4 expression. These mechanisms highlight the complex interplay between various biochemical pathways and transcriptional networks that converge on the critical node of Oct-4, underscoring the sophisticated level of control governing cellular pluripotency.

Items 1 to 10 of 12 total

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Product NameCAS #Catalog #QUANTITYPriceCitationsRATING

OAC-1

300586-90-7sc-397046
sc-397046A
5 mg
25 mg
$119.00
$353.00
(0)

OAC-1 is an intriguing oct-4 compound that exhibits unique reactivity as an acid halide, facilitating acylation reactions through its electrophilic carbonyl group. Its steric configuration allows for selective interactions with nucleophiles, leading to distinct reaction pathways. The compound's ability to form stable intermediates enhances its reaction kinetics, while its polar functional groups contribute to solubility in various solvents, influencing its reactivity profile in synthetic applications.

Forskolin

66575-29-9sc-3562
sc-3562A
sc-3562B
sc-3562C
sc-3562D
5 mg
50 mg
1 g
2 g
5 g
$78.00
$153.00
$740.00
$1413.00
$2091.00
73
(3)

Forskolin directly stimulates adenylate cyclase, thereby elevating cAMP levels within cells. This elevation in cAMP activates protein kinase A, which can phosphorylate transcription factors or regulatory proteins, potentially leading to the upregulation of Oct-4 transcription.

5-Azacytidine

320-67-2sc-221003
500 mg
$280.00
4
(1)

As a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-Azacytidine can cause DNA demethylation. This biochemical change can reactivate genes that have been silenced epigenetically, including the possible upsurge in Oct-4 gene expression, by removing methyl groups from the DNA surrounding the Oct-4 gene.

Trichostatin A

58880-19-6sc-3511
sc-3511A
sc-3511B
sc-3511C
sc-3511D
1 mg
5 mg
10 mg
25 mg
50 mg
$152.00
$479.00
$632.00
$1223.00
$2132.00
33
(3)

Trichostatin A, by inhibiting histone deacetylases, promotes acetylation of histones, which is associated with an open chromatin configuration conducive to transcription. This can lead to the stimulation of Oct-4 expression by making the gene more accessible to transcription machinery.

Valproic Acid

99-66-1sc-213144
10 g
$87.00
9
(1)

Valproic acid, as an HDAC inhibitor, actively promotes histone acetylation, which may augment the transcriptional activity of several genes, including Oct-4. This increased gene expression is due to a more transcriptionally active chromatin state.

Retinoic Acid, all trans

302-79-4sc-200898
sc-200898A
sc-200898B
sc-200898C
500 mg
5 g
10 g
100 g
$66.00
$325.00
$587.00
$1018.00
28
(1)

Retinoic acid engages its receptors to initiate transcriptional events that can lead to the differentiation of stem cells. In certain cellular contexts, this process may include the upregulation of Oct-4, as the cells are guided towards specific lineage pathways.

Sodium Butyrate

156-54-7sc-202341
sc-202341B
sc-202341A
sc-202341C
250 mg
5 g
25 g
500 g
$31.00
$47.00
$84.00
$222.00
19
(3)

Sodium butyrate's role as an HDAC inhibitor can lead to enhanced acetylation of histones around gene promoter regions, which could contribute to the stimulation of Oct-4 expression by promoting a transcription-friendly environment.

(−)-Epigallocatechin Gallate

989-51-5sc-200802
sc-200802A
sc-200802B
sc-200802C
sc-200802D
sc-200802E
10 mg
50 mg
100 mg
500 mg
1 g
10 g
$43.00
$73.00
$126.00
$243.00
$530.00
$1259.00
11
(1)

Epigallocatechin gallate, known for its epigenetic enzyme modulation, can lead to changes in both DNA methylation and histone acetylation status. These alterations can create a favorable context for Oct-4 gene transcription to be initiated or increased.

Biochanin A

491-80-5sc-205603
sc-205603A
100 mg
250 mg
$77.00
$132.00
(1)

Biochanin A has been observed to have epigenetic modifying properties, which can specifically promote the upregulation of Oct-4 by altering the methylation status of the gene's promoter or modifying the acetylation of histones associated with the gene.

Lithium

7439-93-2sc-252954
50 g
$214.00
(0)

Lithium chloride's activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway could lead to the transcriptional upregulation of genes associated with cell fate and pluripotency, such as Oct-4, by promoting the stabilization and nuclear translocation of beta-catenin.