TATA-box binding protein associated factor 1-like (TAF1L)

TATA-box binding protein associated factor 1-like (TAF1L) is a transcription factor and a member of the TFIID complex that plays a crucial role in RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription initiation. TAF1L arose in primates as a retroposed, intronless homolog of the multi-exon TAF1 gene and is expressed predominantly in male germ cells, where it is thought to substitute for TAF1 during male meiosis, when the X-chromosome is silenced. TAF1L binds directly to TATA-binding protein (TBP), supporting the transcription of protein-coding genes critical for germline development. Its overexpression or mutation has been implicated in the development and progression of several cancers, such as oral squamous cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal tumors with high microsatellite instability, through modulation of cell proliferation, autophagy, and apoptosis[5][4]. No current drugs are known to specifically target TAF1L, and its principal research and therapeutic interest are in cancer biology and germ cell function.

Other names

Transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit 1-likeTAF(II)210TBP-associated factor 1-likeTBP-associated factor 210 kDaTranscription initiation factor TFIID 210 kDa subunitTAF2A2TAF1 RNA polymerase II, TATA box binding protein (TBP)-associated factor, 210kDa-likeTBP-associated factor RNA polymerase 1-like

Not established for any drug; TAF1L substitutes for TAF1 in male meiosis and may mediate transcription factor interactions