TATA-box binding protein associated factor 4b (TAF4B)

TATA-box binding protein associated factor 4b (TAF4B) is a protein subunit of the transcription initiation factor TFIID complex, essential for the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. TAF4B acts as a coactivator, integrating signals from transcriptional activators and contributing to promoter selectivity and gene expression in a cell-type-specific manner, particularly in B cells and ovarian granulosa cells, where it regulates key developmental programs such as folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. It can influence cell cycle states, support the expression of antiapoptotic genes, and modulate chromatin architecture, thereby contributing both to developmental processes and disease states like infertility and cancer cell migration. TAF4B features a histone-like fold domain and has limited functional redundancy with its paralog TAF4. Deficiency or mutation of TAF4B causes defects in germ cell development and fertility, and it may be integral to tissue-specific adaptation of core transcriptional machinery.

Other names

Transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit 4BTAF2C2TAFII105TAF(II)105TAFII-105TATA box binding protein (TBP)-associated factor 4BSPGF13transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit 4BTAF4b RNA polymerase IITATA box binding protein (TBP)-associated factor, 105kDaTATA box binding protein (TBP)-associated factor (RNA polymerase II), C2, 105kDtranscription initiation factor TFIID 105 kDa subunit

Not applicable (no direct drugs; indirect roles may involve modulation of gene expression via interaction with transcription factors such as Jun/AP-1)