title: [TBP, a universal transcription factor?].
abstract: The TATA binding protein (TBP) is a subunit of several macromolecular complexes required for transcription by the three nuclear RNA polymerases. This observation led to the idea that TBP is a "universal" transcription factor. The discovery of three TBP-related factors and a macromolecular complex which lacks TBP but can support RNA polymerase II transcription in vitro has led to a reappraisal of the universal character of TBP. Several in vivo studies have rather shown that TBP plays a specific role in the activation of a subset of cellular genes controlling the cell cycle. In mammals, the aminoterminal region of TBP plays a highly selective role in the maternal immunotolerance of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Institut de génétique et de biologie moléculaire et cellulaire, 1, rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch, France. irwin@titus.u-strasbg.fr
authors.forename: Irwin
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martianov
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viville
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008322:Mammals; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology; D035181:TATA-Box Binding Protein / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035181:TATA-Box Binding Protein