TAF8

This gene encodes one of several TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factors (TAFs), which are integral subunits of the general transcription factor complex TFIID. TFIID recognizes the core promoter of many genes and nucleates the assembly of a transcription preinitiation complex containing RNA polymerase II and other initiation factors. The protein encoded by this gene contains an H4-like histone fold domain, and interacts with several subunits of TFIID including TBP and the histone-fold protein TAF10. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described, but their biological validity has not been determined. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Full Name

TAF8 Gene(Protein Coding) TATA-Box Binding Protein Associated Factor 8

Function

The TFIID basal transcription factor complex plays a major role in the initiation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription (PubMed:33795473).
TFIID recognizes and binds promoters with or without a TATA box via its subunit TBP, a TATA-box-binding protein, and promotes assembly of the pre-initiation complex (PIC) (PubMed:33795473).
The TFIID complex consists of TBP and TBP-associated factors (TAFs), including TAF1, TAF2, TAF3, TAF4, TAF5, TAF6, TAF7, TAF8, TAF9, TAF10, TAF11, TAF12 and TAF13 (PubMed:33795473).
The TFIID complex structure can be divided into 3 modules TFIID-A, TFIID-B, and TFIID-C (PubMed:33795473).
TAF8 is involved in forming the TFIID-B module, together with TAF5 (PubMed:33795473).
Mediates both basal and activator-dependent transcription (PubMed:14580349).
Plays a role in the differentiation of preadipocyte fibroblasts to adipocytes, however, does not seem to play a role in differentiation of myoblasts (PubMed:14580349).
Required for the integration of TAF10 in the TAF complex (PubMed:14580349).
May be important for survival of cells of the inner cell mass which constitute the pluripotent cell population of the early embryo (By similarity).

Biological Process

Biological Process cell differentiationIEA:UniProtKB-KW
Biological Process DNA-templated transcription open complex formationIDA:MGI1 Publication
Biological Process inner cell mass cell proliferationIEA:Ensembl
Biological Process maintenance of protein location in nucleusIDA:HGNC-UCL1 Publication
Biological Process mRNA transcription by RNA polymerase IIIDA:ComplexPortal1 Publication
Biological Process positive regulation of transcription initiation by RNA polymerase IIIDA:ComplexPortal1 Publication
Biological Process protein phosphorylationIDA:ComplexPortal1 Publication
Biological Process regulation of fat cell differentiationIDA:MGI1 Publication
Biological Process RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex assemblyIPI:ComplexPortal1 Publication
Biological Process transcription initiation at RNA polymerase II promoterIBA:GO_Central1 Publication

Cellular Location

Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Localized in the cytoplasm and transported from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in some cells, possibly depending on the functional or developmental state of the cell.