Essential component of the NELF complex, a complex that negatively regulates the elongation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. The NELF complex, which acts via an association with the DSIF complex and causes transcriptional pausing, is counteracted by the P-TEFb kinase complex.
(Microbial infection) The NELF complex is involved in HIV-1 latency possibly involving recruitment of PCF11 to paused RNA polymerase II.
Subcellular locations: Nucleus
Ubiquitous. Expressed in heart, brain, placenta, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas. Expressed at lower level in adult lung. Expressed in fetal brain, lung, liver and kidney.