POU3F2, also commonly known as brain-2, is a member of a family of POU domain genes expressed in mouse brain and is thought to be involved in the development of the neocortex and establishment of neural cell lineage (1,2). Recent studies suggest that POU3F2 may be involved with the development of neurodegenerative diseases as well as tumor development and proliferation. Along with the neural-lineage-specific transcription factors ASCL1 and MYT1L, POU3F2 can convert fibroblasts to functional neurons in vitro, a form of artificial stem cells termed induced neuronal (iN) cells, suggesting that these cells may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Synonyms: BRN2, Brain-2, Brain-specific homeobox/POU domain protein 2, Brn-2, Nervous system-specific octamer-binding transcription factor N-Oct-3, OCT7, OTF-7, OTF7, Oct-7, Octamer-binding protein 7, Octamer-binding transcription factor 7, POU domain class 3 transcription factor 2