The transcription factor ELF5 is essential for early preimplantation development.

The findings presented here illustrate the role of ELF5 in preimplantation development and in regulating the expression of Cdh1. The maintenance of the ELF5 and Cdh1 regulatory node proved essential for the proper development of the early mouse embryos, which is in agreement with the critical role of Elf5 and Cdh1 genes in regulating the early events during embryogenesis.