ELK1, Member Of ETS Oncogene Family (ELK1)

ELK1 is a member of the Ets family of transcription factors and of the ternary complex factor (TCF) subfamily. Proteins of the TCF subfamily form a ternary complex by binding to the the serum response factor and the serum reponse element in the promoter of the c-fos proto-oncogene. The protein is a nuclear target for the ras-raf-MAPK signaling cascade. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene.Elk1 associated with the mitochondrial permeability transition pore complex, a structure involved in both apoptotic and necrotic cell death. The association of Elk1 with mitochondria increased following proapoptotic stimuli. Overexpression of Elk1 in primary neurons decreased cell viability, whereas small interfering RNA-mediated Elk1 knockdown increased cell viability.