UTF1 (Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1) is a protein encoded by the UTF1 gene. UTF1, first reported in 1998, is expressed in pluripotent cells including embryonic stem cells and embryonic carcinoma cells. Its expression decreases rapidly upon differentiation. The UTF1 protein is localized to the cell nucleus, where it functions to regulate the pluripotent chromatin state and buffer mRNA levels by promoting degradation of mRNA. UTF1 further acts as a transcriptional repressor and is required for proper differentiation of pluripotent cells.
