Overview:

ELK1 is a member of the ETS oncogene family of transcription factors (1). ELK1 interacts with the promoter of the c-fos proto-oncogene and has been shown to be involved in the Ras-Raf-MAPK signaling cascade (1). MAP kinase phosphorylates ELK1 at Ser383 to control the transcriptional activity of ELK1 (2). Reduced phosphorylation of ELK1 is implicated in premature aging syndrome and insulin resistance (3).

References:

1. Chen, A G. et al: Overexpression of Ets-like protein 1 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. World J Gastroenerol. 2006. 28;12(48):7859-63.

2. Li, Q J. et al: MAP kinase phosphorylation dependent activation of Elk-1 leads to activation of the co-activator p300. EMBO J 2003 22:281-291.

3. Knebel, B B. et al: Reduced phosphorylation of transcription factor Elk-1 in cultured fibroblasts of a patient with premature aging syndrome and insulin resistance. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2005;113(2):94-101.