The TATA Box and TATA-Binding Protein

The TATA module is a short sequence of DNA, which indicates the initiation site and defines the promoter of protein-encoding genes . The consensus sequence of the TATA box is TATAAAA.

These base pairs of the TATA box bind the underside of a TATA Binding Protein.

TATA Binding Proteins (TBPs) are regulatory proteins that are necessary for activation of transcription . These proteins are made up of a ten-stranded beta sheet and four helices .

TBP sits on top of the TATA box just as a saddle sits on a horse. The bound DNA base pairs bend severely toward the major groove, significantly altering the trajectory of the DNA by creating a 100 degree bend in the axis of the DNA.

The bound TBP pries open the minor groove, forcing the TATA sequence to unwind, and thereby creating a mostly hydrophobic interface with the underside of the TATA binding protein.

For more information, consult:
Kim, Y. et al. (1993) Nature 365: 512-520.

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