Transcription factor that binds to the octamer motif (5'-ATTTGCAT-3') and activates the promoters of the genes for some small nuclear RNAs (snRNA) and histone H2B. Acts downstream of Notch signaling during radial glia formation. Regulates apoptosis, possibly via an FGF-signaling pathway. Retained in the cytoplasm during early development, then gradually translocates to the nucleus around the mid-blastula transition (MBT). Abundant in the animal hemisphere of the blastula embryo and during early embryogenesis. Expressed in ectodermal and mesodermal cell lineages where expression becomes spatially restricted to the developing nervous system as development progresses (at protein level). Expressed in the neural plate at late neurula stage (stage 17). At early tailbud stage (stage 25), expression continues in the neural tube and begins in the eyes. At late tailbud stages (stage 30), expressed broadly in the CNS. Expressed both maternally and zygotically. The POU domain controls nuclear translocation. Belongs to the POU transcription factor family. Class-2 subfamily. PubMed:2017364 and PubMed:1990276 show that although pou2f1 binds well to a perfect octamer motif, it does not bind to the variant octamer motif most often found in Xenopus laevis histone H2B gene promoters. PubMed:1406629 therefore suggest that interactions between pou2f1 and other factors bound to the H2B octamer are required for octamer-dependent H2B transcription. Unidentified sequence at N-terminus.