Conserved sequence motifs in the small subunit of human general transcription factor TFIIE.
A general initiation factor, TFIIE, is essential for transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II in conjunction with other general factors. TFIIE is a heterotetramer containing two subunits of relative molecular mass 57,000 (TFIIE-alpha) and two of 34,000 (TFIIE-beta). TFIIE-beta is required in conjunction with TFIIE-alpha for transcription initiation. Here we report the cloning and expression of a complementary DNA encoding a functional human TFIIE-beta. Recombinant TFIIE-beta could replace the natural TFIIE-beta for transcription in conjunction with TFIIE-alpha. Amino-acid sequence comparisons reveal regions with sequence similarities to: subregion 3 of bacterial sigma factors; a region of RAP30 (the small subunit of TFIIF) with sequence similarity to a sigma-factor subregion implicated in binding to RNA polymerase; and a portion of the basic region-helix-loop-helix motif found in several enhancer-binding proteins. These potential homologies have implications for the role of TFIIE in preinitiation complex assembly and function.
Sumimoto
H
H
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021.
Ohkuma
Y
Y
Sinn
E
E
Kato
H
H
Shimasaki
S
S
Horikoshi
M
M
Roeder
R G
RG
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry*; D019473:Transcription Factors, TFII; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012808:Sigma Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; D019473:Transcription Factors, TFII; C066644:transcription factor TFIIE; D004247:DNA; D012319:RNA Polymerase II