title: Roles and regulations of the ETS transcription factor ELF4/MEF.
abstract: Most E26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factors are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. This is in part due to the roles of ETS transcription factors in basic biological processes such as growth, proliferation, and differentiation, and also because of their regulatory functions that have physiological relevance in tumorigenesis, immunity, and basal cellular homoeostasis. A member of the E74-like factor (ELF) subfamily of the ETS transcription factor family-myeloid elf-1-like factor (MEF), designated as ELF4-has been shown to be critically involved in immune response and signalling, osteogenesis, adipogenesis, cancer, and stem cell quiescence. ELF4 carries out these functions as a transcriptional activator or through interactions with its partner proteins. Mutations in ELF4 cause aberrant interactions and induce downstream processes that may lead to diseased cells. Knowing how ELF4 impinges on certain cellular processes and how it is regulated in the cells can lead to a better understanding of the physiological and pathological consequences of modulated ELF4 activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan.
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Suico
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shuto
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C111931:ELF4 protein, human; C491779:Elf4 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: ELF4; ETS transcription factors; cancer; immune regulation; myeloid elf-1-like factor (MEF); transcriptional regulation