Figure 4. Control of P-TEFb by Tat.
In resting CD4+ T-cells the majority of the P-TEFb in cells is found in a transcriptionally inactive snRNP complex containing 7SK RNA, HEXIM and the RNA binding proteins MePCE and LARP7. Tat disrupts this complex by displacing HEXIM and forming a stable complex with P-TEFb. Prior to recruitment to the transcription complex a larger complex is formed between P-TEFb and transcription elongation factors from the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) family, including ELL2. A small fraction of the Tat in cell is also able to form a complex with 7SK RNA in the absence of HEXIM1.