DPPA4 (Developmental pluripotency-associated 4) is a DNA binding SAP domain-containing protein. It is highly expressed in embryonal carcinomas, pluripotent germ cell tumors, and other cancers. It is also mutated in some cancers. DPPA4 overexpression induces cell proliferation through genes related to regulation of G1/S transition. DPPA4 contains a functional HMG/POU cassette and behaves as a Sox2:Oct-3/4 target gene. Sox2 and Oct-3/4 function as master regulators during mammalian embryogenesis.