Transcription factor that forms a trimeric complex with POU5F1 (OCT3/4) on DNA and controls the expression of a number of genes involved in embryonic development such as YES1, FGF4, UTF1 and ZFP206 (PubMed:15863505, PubMed:17097055, PubMed:19740739). Binds to the proximal enhancer region of NANOG (PubMed:15863505). Critical for early embryogenesis and for embryonic stem cell pluripotency (By similarity). Downstream SRRT target that mediates the promotion of neural stem cell self-renewal (PubMed:22198669). Keeps neural cells undifferentiated by counteracting the activity of proneural proteins and suppresses neuronal differentiation (By similarity). May function as a switch in neuronal development (By similarity).