ELF3, also known as E74-like factor 3, is an important member of the E-twenty-six (ETS) transcription factor family. It plays diverse roles in various organisms. In plants, it is crucial for photoperiodic flowering, regulation of circadian rhythms, and acts as a thermosensor. In animals, it is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, regulating a variety of biological behaviors [2,3].

In Arabidopsis, ELF3 contains a polyglutamine repeat within a prion-like domain, which functions as a thermosensor. The length of the polyQ repeat correlates with thermal responsiveness. ELF3 also forms the evening complex with ELF4 and LUX, regulating the transcription of circadian-clock related genes [1,7]. In zebrafish, Elf3 is required for epidermal, mesenchymal, and neural tissue development, as its deficiency leads to disorganized extracellular matrix and tissue morphogenesis defects [8]. In cancers, ELF3 shows dual roles. In gallbladder cancer, it can promote gemcitabine resistance through the PKMYT1/CDK1 signaling pathway, while also suppressing cancer development via down-regulation of the EREG/EGFR/mTORC1 signaling pathway [4,5]. In epithelial ovarian cancer, hypoxia-induced ELF3 promotes tumor angiogenesis through IGF1/IGF1R [6].

In conclusion, ELF3 is a multifunctional gene. Its functions range from regulating plant development in response to environmental cues to influencing various cellular processes and disease progression in animals, especially in cancer. Studies using different genetic models like Arabidopsis and zebrafish, as well as in cancer research, have been crucial in uncovering these diverse functions, providing insights into potential therapeutic strategies for ELF3-related diseases.