TATA-box binding protein associated factor 3 (TAF3)

TATA-box binding protein associated factor 3 (TAF3) is a critical subunit of the TFIID complex responsible for initiating transcription by RNA polymerase II through recognition of gene promoters, both with and without TATA boxes[1][6]. TAF3 interacts directly with the TATA-box binding protein (TBP), histones, and other TAFs, helping to assemble the pre-initiation transcription complex[1][3][6]. It has specialized functions in gene regulation, such as mediating cell differentiation (notably in myogenesis), and acts as a negative regulator of p53—reducing p53 transcriptional activity and protein levels[2][7]. TAF3 is evolutionarily conserved and essential for normal gene expression and cell fate specification; it is not classically considered a therapeutic target such as a receptor or enzyme, but has significant relevance for normal and disease biology due to its central regulatory role in transcription initiation[1][6][2].

Other names

TAFII140TAF140TAF3 RNA polymerase IITATA box binding protein (TBP)-associated factor, 140kDaTranscription initiation factor TFIID 140 kDa subunit140 kDa TATA box-binding protein-associated factorTBP-associated factor 3TAF(II)140TAFII-140