Recent advances in understanding the structure and function of general transcription factor TFIID

Abstract

The general transcription factor TFIID is a macromolecular complex comprising the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and a set of 13-14 TBP associated factors (TAFs). This review discusses biochemical, genetic and electron microscopic data acquired over the past years that provide a model for the composition, organisation and assembly of TFIID. We also revisit ideas on how TFIID is recruited to the promoters of active and possibly repressed genes. Recent observations show that recognition of acetylated and methylated histone residues by structural domains in several TAFs plays an important role. Finally, we highlight several genetic studies suggesting that TFIID is required for initiation of transcription, but not for maintaining transcription once a promoter is in an active state.

Non-canonical TAF complexes regulate active promoters in human embryonic stem cells

“…Previous studies have shown that nine of the 14 TFIID TAFs contain a sequence motif homologous to histones, called the histone fold domain (HFD), which mediates protein–protein interactions (reviewed in Cler et al, 2009; Papai et al, 2011). These nine TAFs can form five specific heterodimers: TAF3–10, TAF6–9, TAF4–12, TAF8–10 and TAF11–13.…”

Proteomics Reveals a Physical and Functional Link between Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α and Transcription Factor IID

“…The TATA box-binding protein (TBP) subunit of TFIID recognizes the TATA box element and can substitute for TFIID in transcription in vitro. Additional TBP-associated factor (TAF) subunits of TFIID recognize the initiator (Inr) and other core promoter elements and contribute to functional interactions between the general transcription machinery and DNA-binding transcription factors and coregulators (1,8,9). TBP has also been shown to be an essential component of SL1 and TFIIIB, which are multisubunit general transcription factors for RNA polymerases I and III, respectively (10 -16).…”

“…Promoter-specific transcription by RNA polymerase II depends on the general initiation factors TFIIA, 2 -B, -D, -E, -F, and -H, which are the minimal set of factors needed for assembly of the preinitiation complex and subsequent initiation of transcription (1)(2)(3)(4). The activity of RNA polymerase II and the general transcription factors is controlled by a host of DNAbinding transcription factors, the Mediator of RNA polymerase II transcription, and other coactivators and corepressors (5)(6)(7).…”

Régulation de la transcription par le coactivateur TFIID

“…Le facteur de transcription TFIID est l'un de ces coactivateurs et contient TBP ainsi que 14 sous-unités nommées TAF pour TBP associated proteins [3]. La structure atomique de TBP montre que cette protéine adopte une forme de croissant et interagit avec la boîte TATA par l'intermédiaire de sa face concave [4].…”

“…La structure atomique de TBP montre que cette protéine adopte une forme de croissant et interagit avec la boîte TATA par l'intermédiaire de sa face concave [4]. Mais d'autres TAF, tel que TAF2, participent à la reconnaissance du promoteur et, dans certains cas, rendent facultative la présence d'une boîte TATA [3]. Plusieurs TAF, dont TAF4 et TAF12, établissent des liaisons avec des activateurs transcriptionnels et contribuent au recrutement de TFIID à proximité des gènes à transcrire.…”