POU3F2 (also known as BRN2) is a transcription factor that plays essential roles in neuronal differentiation and neurodevelopment. It functions by binding to specific DNA sequences consisting of 'GCAT' and 'TAAT' half-sites and acts as a transcriptional activator, particularly when cooperating with SOX proteins 1. POU3F2 is one of three key factors (along with ASCL1 and MYT1L) sufficient to directly reprogram fibroblasts into functional neurons, demonstrating its critical role in neuronal fate specification 1. In glioblastoma, POU3F2 is part of a core set of transcription factors essential for tumor-propagating cell maintenance and can reprogram differentiated cancer cells back to stem-like states 2. The gene regulates canonical Wnt signaling through transcriptional targets SOX13 and ADNP, which is crucial for neural progenitor cell proliferation and preventing premature radial glia specification 3. POU3F2 also directly activates NTF3 (neurotrophin-3) expression, which is required for neuronal differentiation and survival 4. Clinically, loss-of-function mutations in POU3F2 cause neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, and hyperphagic obesity with adolescent onset 53, highlighting its importance in human brain development and metabolic regulation.