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. 1996 Jun 25;93(13):6583–6588. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.13.6583

Separation of the transcriptional coactivator and antirepression functions of transcription factor IIA.

D MA 1, I Olave 1, A Merino 1, D Reinberg 1
PMCID: PMC39068  PMID: 8692860

Abstract

Human transcription factor IIA (TFIIA) is composed of three subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma). TFIIA interacts with the TATA-box binding protein and can overcome repression of transcription. TFIIA was found to be necessary for VP16-mediated transcriptional activation through a coactivator function. We have separated the coactivator and antirepression activities of TFIIA. A TFIIA lacking the alpha subunit was isolated from HeLa cells. This "mini-TFIIA" interacts with the TATA-box binding protein and can overcome repression of transcription, but it is defective in transcriptional coactivator function.

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