Oct-1 is a transcription factor involved in the cell cycle regulation of histone H2B gene transcription and in the transcription of other cellular housekeeping genes. Oct-1 is hyperphosphorylated as cells enter mitosis, and mitosis-specific phosphorylation is reversed as cells exit mitosis. A mitosis-specific phosphorylation site in the homeodomain of Oct-1 was phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase A. Phosphorylation of this site correlated with inhibition of Oct-1 DNA binding activity in vivo and in vitro. The inhibition of Oct-1 DNA binding during mitosis suggests a mechanism by which the general inhibition of transcription during mitosis might occur.