NCBI Summary:
This gene is expressed ubiquitously with higher levels in fetal than in adult tissues. It encodes a protein sharing 93% sequence identity with the mouse protein. Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a malformation syndrome associated with a hemizygous deletion of the distal short arm of chromosome 4. This gene is mapped to the 165 kb WHS critical region, and may play a role in the phenotype of the WHS or Pitt-Rogers-Danks syndrome. The encoded protein is found to be capable of reacting with HLA-A2-restricted and tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, suggesting a target for use in specific immunotherapy for a large number of cancer patients. This protein has also been shown to be a member of the NELF (negative elongation factor) protein complex that participates in the regulation of RNA polymerase II transcription elongation. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
General function
RNA metabolism, RNA processing
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Cellular localization
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Ovarian function
Early embryo development
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Maternal factor NELFA drives a 2C-like state in mouse embryonic stem cells. Hu Z et al. (2020) Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) sporadically transit into an early embryonic-like state characterized by the expression of 2-cell (2C) stage-restricted transcripts. Here, we identify a maternal factor-negative elongation factor A (NELFA)-whose heterogeneous expression in mouse ESCs is coupled to 2C gene upregulation and expanded developmental potential in vivo. We show that NELFA partners with Top2a in an interaction specific to the 2C-like state, and that it drives the expression of Dux-a key 2C regulator. Accordingly, loss of NELFA and/or Top2a suppressed Dux activation. Further characterization of 2C-like cells uncovered reduced glycolytic activity; remarkably, mere chemical suppression of glycolysis was sufficient to promote a 2C-like fate, obviating the need for genetic manipulation. Global chromatin state analysis on NELFA-induced cells revealed decommissioning of ESC-specific enhancers, suggesting ESC-state impediments to 2C reversion. Our study positions NELFA as one of the earliest drivers of the 2C-like state and illuminates factors and processes that govern this transition.//////////////////