Embryonic stem (ES) cell-specific transcription factor required to maintain ES cell pluripotency. Can both activate and /or repress expression of target genes, depending on the context. Specifically binds the 5'-[GA]CGCNNGCG[CT]-3' DNA consensus sequence. Regulates expression of POU5F1/OCT4, ZSCAN4 and ALYREF/THOC4. Interacts with POU5F1/OCT4 and SOX2. Embryonic stem (ES) cell-specific. Not expressed in adult, except in testis. Expressed throughout embryogenesis. Transcriptionally regulated by POU5F1/OCT4 and SOX2. Methylated at Gln-485 by N6AMT1.