TAF II p135 Background Information
TFIID is a general transcription factor that initiates preinitiation complex assembly through direct interaction with the TATA promoter element. Functioning as a multisubunit complex consisting of a small TATA-binding polypeptide and other TBP-associated factors (TAFs), TFIID mediates promoter responses to various transcriptional activators and repressors. TAF II p135, also known as TAF4, TAF2C, TAF2C1, TAF4A or TAFII130, is a 1,085 amino acid subunit of TFIID that accelerates transcriptional activation triggered by thyroid hormone (TR) or retinoic acid (RA). Localized to the nucleus, TAF II p135 contains one TAFH domain and is thought to bind to proteins that contain glutamine-rich domains, such as the transcription factor CREB. Via its binding to glutamine-rich proteins, TAF II p135 may be associated with neurodegenerative polyglutamine diseases, such as DRPLA (Dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy), HD (Huntington's disease) and SCA (Spinocerebellar ataxia).
