Negative elongation factor complex member E (NELFE)

Negative elongation factor complex member E (NELFE) is a nuclear RNA-binding protein, serving as one of four subunits of the Negative Elongation Factor (NELF) complex responsible for pausing RNA polymerase II during early transcription elongation[1][3]. NELFE contains RNA recognition motifs and interacts with both genetic and viral RNA, influencing mRNA processing, stabilization, and degradation[3]. It plays a crucial regulatory role in transcriptional control, impacting gene expression at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Overexpression of NELFE has been linked to promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in cancers such as pancreatic and hepatocellular carcinoma, functioning as an oncogenic driver via the Wnt/β-catenin and MYC pathways[2][4]. It is under investigation as a potential biomarker and molecular target in oncology, though no direct drugs or specific NELFE-targeted therapies exist at this time.

Other names

Negative elongation factor ENELF-ERDRDBPRNA-binding protein RDD6S45RDPmajor histocompatibility complex gene RDnegative elongation factor polypeptide Enuclear protein NELFE

Post-transcriptional modulation of target mRNA stability (e.g., NDRG2 mRNA degradation); Promotion of oncogenic transcriptional programs via regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and MYC pathway; Pol II pausing via interaction with DSIF and response to P-TEFb phosphorylation