LARP7 is an RNA-binding protein that regulates transcription and RNA processing through multiple mechanisms. As a core component of the 7SK ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, LARP7 negatively regulates RNA polymerase II transcription elongation by sequestering the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) 1. LARP7 binds the 3' U-rich region of 7SK snRNA and releases P-TEFb upon stimulation, allowing transcriptional activation 2. Additionally, LARP7 promotes mRNA splicing fidelity by facilitating U6 snRNA loading into box C/D RNP complexes to enable U6 2'-O-methylation 3. LARP7 also participates in early telomerase RNA biogenesis, where LARP7/MePCE mediate processing of telomerase RNA precursors 4. Beyond canonical RNA functions, LARP7 protects cardiac health by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism through SIRT1-mediated transcription of oxidative phosphorylation genes 5. In vascular smooth muscle cells, LARP7 maintains contractile phenotype by coupling with P300 histone acetyltransferase to enhance H3K27 acetylation at contractile gene promoters 6. Following ischemic stroke, LARP7 suppresses neuronal pyroptosis by promoting SIRT1-mediated NLRP3 deacetylation and inflammasome inhibition 7. Biallelic LARP7 mutations cause Alazami syndrome, characterized by developmental delay and cognitive dysfunction 8. LARP7 dysfunction has also been implicated in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis through LARP7-CDK1 pathway activation 9.