DPPA5/ESG1: Proteins and Enzymes

DPPA molecules are a group of five name-only related proteins that are best described as a set of Oct4-related genes. They serve as markers for early embryonic and germline pluripotent cells. DPPA1 is transmembrane, DPPA2-4 contain DNA-binding domains, while DPPA5/ESG1 is a K homology RNA-binding (KH) domain containing protein that is expressed in embryonic germ cells and embryonic stem cells. DPPA5 is a potential marker for pluripotent stem cells.