Participation of the TBP‐associated factors (TAFs) in cell differentiation

Abstract

The understanding of the mechanisms that regulate gene expression to establish differentiation programs and determine cell lineages, is one of the major challenges in Developmental Biology. Besides the participation of tissue‐specific transcription factors and epigenetic processes, the role of general transcription factors has been ignored. Only in recent years, there have been scarce studies that address this issue. Here, we review the studies on the biological activity of some TATA‐box binding protein (TBP)‐associated factors (TAFs) during the proliferation of stem/progenitor cells and their involvement in cell differentiation. Particularly, the accumulated evidence suggests that TAF4, TAF4b, TAF7L, TAF8, TAF9, and TAF10, among others, participate in nervous system development, adipogenesis, myogenesis, and epidermal differentiation; while TAF1, TAF7, TAF15 may be involved in the regulation of stem cell proliferative abilities and cell cycle progression. On the other hand, evidence suggests that TBP variants such as TBPL1 and TBPL2 might be regulating some developmental processes such as germ cell maturation and differentiation, myogenesis, or ventral specification during development. Our analysis shows that it is necessary to study in greater depth the biological function of these factors and its participation in the assembly of specific transcription complexes that contribute to the differential gene expression that gives rise to the great diversity of cell types existing in an organism. The understanding of TAFs' regulation might lead to the development of new therapies for patients which suffer from mutations, alterations, and dysregulation of these essential elements of the transcriptional machinery.

Long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs profiling in ovary during laying and broodiness in Taihe Black-Bone Silky Fowls (Gallus gallus Domesticus Brisson)

“…TBPL1 (also known as TRF2) represents a paralog of TBP in metazoans, playing a significant role in zygotic transcription during the embryogenesis of organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster [ 45 – 47 ]. Research has indicated that TBP variants, such as TBPL1 and TBPL2, may regulate developmental processes including gametogenesis and differentiation, myogenesis, and ventral patterning during development [ 48 ]. The study of TBP and its associated factors is of paramount importance for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying gene regulation.…”

Tata-box-binding protein-associated factor 15 as a new potential marker in gastrointestinal tumors

“…Tata-box-binding protein-associated factor 15 (TAF15) is a type of RNA-binding protein that belongs to FET protein family[ 1 , 2 ]. TAF15 is a crucial regulator of RNA metabolism and plays a significant role in the normal functions of RNA[ 3 - 5 ]. Prior research has shown that chromosomal translocation of FET genes, including TAF15 can result in the formation of fusion oncoproteins in several types of tumors, such as sarcomas and leukemias[ 6 - 8 ].…”