InterPro domain: IPR003923

Transcription initiation factor TFIID is a multimeric protein complex thatplays a central role in mediating promoter responses to various activatorsand repressors. The complex includes TATA binding protein (TBP) and variousTBP-associated factors (TAFS). TFIID is a bona fide RNA polymerase II-specificTATA-binding protein-associated factor (TAF) and is essential for viability [ 1 ]. This entry represents one of the TAFs, TAF10.

TFIID acts to nucleate the transcription complex, recruiting the rest ofthe factors through a direct interaction with TFIIB. The TBP subunit of TFIID is sufficient for TATA-element binding and TFIIB interaction, and can support basal transcription. The protein belongs to the TAF2H family.

TAF10 is part of other transcription regulatory multiprotein complexes (e.g., SAGA, TBP-free TAF-containing complex [TFTC], STAGA, and PCAF/GCN5). Several TAFs interact via histone-fold motifs. The histone fold (HFD) is the interaction motif involved in heterodimerization of the core histones and their assembly into nucleosome octamer. The minimal HFD contains three alpha-helices linked by two loops. The HFD is found in core histones, TAFs and many other transcription factors. Five HF-containing TAF pairs have been described in TFIID: TAF6-TAF9, TAF4-TAF12, TAF11-TAF13, TAF8-TAF10 and TAF3-TAF10 [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].

1. Isolation and characterization of TAF25, an essential yeast gene that encodes an RNA polymerase II-specific TATA-binding protein-associated factor. J. Biol. Chem. 271, 13706-15
2. The general transcription machinery and general cofactors. Crit. Rev. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 41, 105-78
3. The nuclear import of TAF10 is regulated by one of its three histone fold domain-containing interaction partners. Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 4092-104
4. Identification of a small TAF complex and its role in the assembly of TAF-containing complexes. PLoS ONE 2, e316