RNA polymerase II elongation factor ELL2 (ELL2)

ELL2 is a transcription elongation factor that regulates RNA polymerase II activity by increasing elongation rates and suppressing transient pausing during mRNA synthesis. As a key component of the super elongation complex (SEC), ELL2 facilitates the release of paused polymerase II in cooperation with P-TEFb and other cofactors, thereby promoting efficient transcription. In plasma cells, ELL2 drives the production and alternative processing of immunoglobulin heavy-chain mRNAs, switching from membrane-bound to secreted forms to support robust antibody secretion. Mutations and variations in ELL2 influence immunoglobulin levels and confer genetic risk for multiple myeloma. Through its combined roles in elongation and mRNA processing, ELL2 contributes broadly to gene regulation in various biological contexts and disease states.

Other names

ELL2MRCCAT1Metastatic renal cell carcinoma-associated transcript 1Elongation factor for RNA polymerase II 2RNA polymerase II elongation factor ELL2ELL-related RNA polymerase II elongation factor

Drugs targeting ELL2 would primarily aim for enhancement of transcriptional elongation, specifically by modulating the release of paused RNA polymerase II. They could also impact the regulation of mRNA processing and alternative splicing, thereby influencing processes like antibody production in plasma cells. Hypothetically, small molecules or antisense approaches could also downregulate ELL2 activity, leading to inhibition of transcriptional activation.