ELF3, also known as E74-like factor 3, is a significant member of the E-twenty-six (ETS) transcription factor family. It regulates diverse biological behaviors such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion by binding to DNA and controlling other genes' expression. In plants, it's crucial for photoperiodic flowering, circadian rhythms, and temperature sensing [1,2].

In cancer research, loss-of-function studies have provided insights. In gallbladder cancer, ELF3 shows dual roles. Knockdown of ELF3 promoted gemcitabine sensitivity in GBC cells, indicating its role in gemcitabine resistance through the PKMYT1/CDK1 signaling pathway [3]. Also, in gallbladder cancer mouse models, loss of ELF3 led to larger papillary lesions, with upregulated EREG/EGFR/mTORC1 signaling, suggesting ELF3 as a tumor suppressor in GBC [4]. In zebrafish, knockdown of elf3 caused defects in notochord, craniofacial cartilage, fin, and neural tissues, altering extracellular matrix organization [5].

In conclusion, ELF3 plays essential roles in both plant and animal biology. In plants, it's involved in flowering and temperature response. In animals, especially in cancer research, its loss-of-function studies in models like mice and zebrafish have revealed its complex roles in tumor development, drug resistance, and tissue morphogenesis, contributing to a better understanding of related disease mechanisms.