ELP3 serves as the catalytic acetyltransferase subunit of the Elongator complex, primarily functioning to modify transfer RNAs (tRNAs) at wobble position uridine 34 (U34) 12. This tRNA acetylation activity is critical for codon-specific translation and protein synthesis regulation, with ELP3-mediated U34 modifications affecting ribosomal translation elongation rates and linking acetyl-CoA metabolism to proteome integrity 2. Beyond tRNA modification, ELP3 exhibits protein acetyltransferase activity, acetylating targets such as PAK1 at lysine 420 under hypoxic conditions to enhance autophagy and promote brain tumorigenesis 3. ELP3 also functions in an acetyltransferase-independent manner by stabilizing c-Myc through competitive inhibition of FBXW7β-mediated degradation 4. The enzyme plays crucial roles in cancer biology, with melanoma cells showing dependence on ELP3 for survival and resistance to targeted therapy 1. In neurodegenerative diseases, ELP3 expression is reduced in Alzheimer's disease patients, correlating with amyloid pathology and leading to tRNA hypomodifications and proteostasis impairments 5. During brain development, proper ELP3 function is essential for translation fidelity, with its regulation coordinated by transcription factor E4F1 6.