Regulation of human growth and differentiation factor 3 gene expression by NANOG in human embryonic carcinoma NCCIT cells

► GDF3 expression is affected by NANOG knockdown and overexpression in NCCIT cells. ► The GDF3 promoter is activated by NANOG in a dose-dependent manner. ► Two putative NANOG-binding sites are present in the GDF3 minimal promoter region. ► NANOG binds to the GDF3 minimal promoter region in vivo. ► The GDF3 minimal promoter activity is mediated by the NANOG transactivation domain.