The TFIID basal transcription factor complex plays a major role in the initiation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription . 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) . 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 . TAF1 is the largest component and core scaffold of the TFIID complex, involved in nucleating complex assembly ( ). TAF1 forms a promoter DNA binding subcomplex of TFIID, together with TAF7 and TAF2 . Contains novel N- and C-terminal Ser/Thr kinase domains which can autophosphorylate or transphosphorylate other transcription factors (, ). Phosphorylates TP53 on 'Thr-55' which leads to MDM2-mediated degradation of TP53 . Phosphorylates GTF2A1 and GTF2F1 on Ser residues . Possesses DNA-binding activity . Essential for progression of the G1 phase of the cell cycle (   ). Exhibits histone acetyltransferase activity towards histones H3 and H4 .
Subcellular locations: Nucleus