title: TAF7: a possible transcription initiation check-point regulator.
abstract: Transcription consists of a series of highly regulated steps: assembly of a preinitiation complex (PIC) at the promoter nucleated by TFIID, followed by initiation, elongation, and termination. The present study has focused on the role of the TFIID component, TAF7, in regulating transcription initiation. In TFIID, TAF7 binds to TAF1 and inhibits its intrinsic acetyl transferase activity. We now report that although TAF7 remains bound to TAF1 and associated with TFIID during the formation of the PIC, TAF7 dissociates from the PIC upon transcription initiation. Entry of polymerase II into the assembling PIC is associated with TAF1 and TAF7 phosphorylation, coincident with TAF7 release. We propose that the TFIID composition is dynamic and that TAF7 functions as a check-point regulator suppressing premature transcription initiation until PIC assembly is complete.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Immunology Branch, Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gegonne
authors.forename: Jocelyn D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Weissman
authors.forename: Meisheng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Dinah S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D018816:Genes, cdc / Q000502:physiology*; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D035381:TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D035362:Transcription Factor TFIID / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D024363:Transcription Initiation Site / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C091537:TAF7 protein, human; D035381:TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors; D035362:Transcription Factor TFIID; D004247:DNA; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; C069001:TATA-binding protein associated factor 250 kDa; D012319:RNA Polymerase II