TAF6L
Description
The TAF6L (TATA-box binding protein associated factor 6 like) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 11.
TAF6L, also known as TAF6-like RNA polymerase II p300/CBP-associated factor-associated factor 65 kDa subunit 6L, is an enzyme encoded by the TAF6L gene in humans. It plays a crucial role in the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II, a process that involves over 70 polypeptides. The protein that coordinates these activities is transcription factor IID (TFIID), which binds to the core promoter, positions the polymerase correctly, serves as a scaffold for assembling the transcription complex, and acts as a channel for regulatory signals. TFIID consists 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, act as coactivators, function in promoter recognition, or modify general transcription factors (GTFs) to facilitate complex assembly and transcription initiation. TAF6L is a component of the PCAF histone acetylase complex and shares structural similarity with TAF6, one of the histone-like TAFs. The PCAF histone acetylase complex, comprising over 20 polypeptides, including TAFs, is essential for myogenic transcription and differentiation. TAF6L has been shown to interact with TAF9 and the transcription initiation protein SPT3 homolog.
TAF6L, also known as PCAF-associated factor 65-alpha, plays a crucial role as a component of the PCAF complex. This complex efficiently acetylates histones within nucleosomes, resembling the yeast SAGA complex. In collaboration with TAF5L, TAF6L acts as an epigenetic regulator essential for somatic reprogramming. It regulates target genes by depositing H3K9ac and recruiting MYC, which in turn activates the MYC regulatory network. This network orchestrates gene expression programs that control the state of embryonic stem cells. TAF6L cooperates with MYC to activate target gene expression by releasing RNA polymerase II from its paused state.
TAF6L is also known as PAF65A.
