Transcription Properties of a Cell Type–Specific TATA-Binding Protein, TRF

Eukaryotic cells are thought to contain a single TATA-binding protein (TBP) that directs transcription by cellular RNA polymerases. Here we report a cell type-specific TBP-related factor (TRF) that can form a stable TRF/IIA/IIB TATA DNA complex and substitute for TBP in directing RNA polymerase II transcription in vitro. Transfection studies reveal that TRF can differentially mediate activation by some enhancer proteins but not others. Like TBP, TRF forms a stable complex containing multiple novel subunits, nTAFs. Antibody staining of embryos and polytene chromosomes reveals cell type-specific expression and gene-selective properties consistent with the shaker/male sterile phenotype of trf mutants. These findings suggest TRF is a homolog of TBP that functions to direct tissue- and gene-specific transcription.