Table 2.

Summary of key transcription factors discussed in this review

Name of transcription factor	Explanation	Gene family
Oct4	Octamer binding transcription factor 4	POU (Pit, Oct, Unc) domain transcription factor
Sox2	SRY (sex determining region Y)-related HMG box 2 transcription factor	HMG (High Mobility Group) of DNA-binding proteins
Nanog	Named after ‘Tir na nOg’ (Celtic mythology = land of the ever young)	Homeodomain transcription factor
Cdx2	Caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2	Homeodomain transcription factor
Gata6	Binding of (G/A)GATA(A/T) DNA consensus	GATA family of transcription factors