TAF2

Description

The TAF2 (TATA-box binding protein associated factor 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 8.

Transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TAF2 gene. Initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II requires the activities of more than 70 polypeptides. The protein that coordinates these activities is transcription factor IID (TFIID), which binds to the core promoter to position the polymerase properly, serves as the scaffold for assembly of the remainder of the transcription complex, and acts as a channel for regulatory signals. TFIID is composed of the TATA binding protein (TBP) and a group of evolutionarily conserved proteins known as TBP-associated factors or TAFs. TAFs may participate in basal transcription, serve as coactivators, function in promoter recognition or modify general transcription factors (GTFs) to facilitate complex assembly and transcription initiation. This gene encodes one of the larger subunits of TFIID that is stably associated with the TFIID complex. It contributes to interactions at and downstream of the transcription initiation site, interactions that help determine transcription complex response to activators.

TAF2 is a component of the TFIID complex, which plays a crucial role in the initiation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription. TFIID binds to promoters, both those with and without a TATA box, through its TATA-box-binding protein (TBP) subunit. This binding facilitates the assembly of the pre-initiation complex (PIC). TAF2, along with TAF1 and TAF7, forms a subcomplex within TFIID that binds to promoter DNA.

TAF2 is also known as CIF150, MRT40, TAF2B, TAFII150.

Associated Diseases

• Neurodevelopmental disorder with feeding difficulties, thin corpus callosum, and foot deformity
• Microcephaly-thin corpus callosum-intellectual disability syndrome