# Transcriptional Elongation Control in Development and Disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $378,789

## Abstract

Project Summary
Studies from my laboratory during the past two decades have focused on the characterization of the molecular
functions and biochemical properties of factors and chromatin modifications associated with the elongating
form of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), and how their translocations and mutations are associated with the
pathogenesis of childhood leukemia and other forms of cancer. Our hope is that our molecular studies of
transcriptional elongation control during normal development and during cancer will advance our
understanding of the molecular mechanisms of rearrangement-based leukemia and other forms of human
cancer for the treatment of these malignancies.
To this end, our biochemical studies during the current funding cycle demonstrated that the Super Elongation
Complex, PAF1 complex, and histone H3K79 methylation machinery are central for the regulation of
pause/release by Pol II. We now plan to molecularly define the basis of this process and to also identify other
cellular factors within our genome functioning with SEC, PAF1, and the H3K79 demethylases to regulate
transcription elongation by Pol II.
We will take advantage of a variety of biochemical, molecular, and genetic tools in multiple model systems to
address these aims, which should (i) be instrumental for our understanding of the diverse roles of RNA
Polymerase II elongation factors in the regulation of gene expression and in development and differentiation;
and (ii) have a fundamental impact on our understanding of the mutations and translocations of this family of
factors in human cancer. This information has the potential of proving helpful to investigators attempting to
design rational approaches for the treatment of cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9991778
- **Project number:** 5R01CA214035-19
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ali Shilatifard
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $378,789
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2004-09-01 → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9991778

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9991778, Transcriptional Elongation Control in Development and Disease (5R01CA214035-19). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9991778. Licensed CC0.

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