Transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit 7 (TAF7)

Transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit 7 (TAF7) is a protein encoded by the human TAF7 gene and is a key component of the TFIID multiprotein complex, which is essential for transcription initiation mediated by RNA polymerase II. As a TBP (TATA-box binding protein)-associated factor, TAF7 interacts intimately with TAF1, the largest TFIID subunit, forming a regulatory module within the TFIID complex. TAF7 is necessary for proper assembly and function of the preinitiation complex (PIC) at class II gene promoters, acting as a transcriptional checkpoint and modulating the activity of TAF1—specifically acting as a dissociable inhibitor of TAF1’s histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity, thus helping coordinate correct PIC assembly before gene transcription is initiated. TAF7, with a molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa (unphosphorylated) or 55 kDa (phosphorylated), is highly conserved and has structural domains that specifically recognize posttranslational chromatin modification marks, such as trimethylated histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3). This suggests a role for TAF7/TAF1 in epigenetic regulation and chromatin state sensing during gene activation and repression. TAF7 is fundamental to normal transcriptional regulation and cell cycle progression; its dysfunction can contribute to aberrant gene expression, but it is not currently considered a direct therapeutic target, biomarker, or a molecule with known drug interactions.

Other names

TAF2FTAFII55TAF(II)55TAFII-55RNA polymerase II TBP-associated factor subunit FTATA-box binding protein-associated factor 7TBP-associated factor Ftranscription initiation factor TFIID 55 kDa subunittranscription factor IID subunit TAFII55