Nanog homeobox, also known as nanog, is a member of the homeobox family of DNA binding transcription factors that has been shown to maintain pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Nanog expression counteracts the differentiation-promoting signals induced by the extrinsic factors LIF, Stat3 and BMP. Once NANOG expression is downregulated, cell differentiation can proceed. Proteins which regulate NANOG expression include transcription factors Oct4, SOX2, FoxD3, and Tcf3 and tumor suppressor p53. Alternative Names: Homeobox transcription factor Nanog protein, homeobox transcription factor Nanog-delta 48 protein