Mechanisms of core promoter recognition by general transcription factor TFIID

TFIID是由TBP和14个TAF组成的最大的GTF，在无TATA启动子的转录中起关键作用。在后生动物中，除了TATA元件之外的几个核心启动子元件（CE）被认为是TFIID的识别位点。然而，目前还不清楚是否功能同源元件也存在于酵母中的TATA-less promoters.在这里，我们开发了一种新的高通量筛选系统来测量基因表达在酵母中使用VTC 1作为报告基因。这种方法使我们能够通过筛选CYC 1启动子的随机寡核苷酸池来分离几种活性和新型CE。TAF 1蛋白的TAF N端结构域（TAND）在转录激活中起重要作用。TAND包括两个子域TAND 1和TAND 2，它们分别与TBP的凹表面和凸表面相互作用。与其他小组合作，我们确定了TAND-TBP复合物的晶体结构，为转录激活提供了新的见解。

TFIID, the largest GTF composed of TBP and 14 TAFs, plays a critical role in transcription from TATA-less promoters. In metazoans, several core promoter elements (CE) other than the TATA element are thought to be recognition sites for TFIID. However, it is unclear whether functionally homologous elements also exist in TATA-less promoters in yeast.Here we develop a novel high-throughput screening system to measure gene expression in yeast by using VTC1 as a reporter gene. This method allows us to isolate several active and novel CE by screening a randomized oligonucleotide pool for the CYC1 promoter. The TAF N-terminal domain (TAND) of the TAF1 protein plays a significant role in transcriptional activation. TAND comprises two subdomains, TAND1 and TAND2, which interact with the concave and convex surfaces of TBP, respectively. In collaboration with other groups, we determine the crystal structure of the TAND-TBP complex that provides a novel insight into transcriptional activation.