HOW TBP BINDS DNA: TBP RECOGNIZES AND BINDS TO THE CONSENSUS SEQUENCE TATAAA (TATA BOX) IN THE MINOR GROOVE. DNA BINDING IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH HYDROPHOBIC SIDE CHAINS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PROTEIN CONTACTING THE PHOSPHATE GROUPS OF THE DNA BACKBONE. THE DNA BECOMES KINKED (BENT 80 DEGREES) WHEN TWO PHENYLALANINE RESIDUES INSERT THEMSELVES IN POSITIONS FLANKING THE TATA BOX. THE UNDERSIDE OF TBP IS LINED WITH BETA SHEETS THAT MAKE UP THE BINDING SITE. THE DEFORMED DNA AND THE SURFACE OF THE TBP ARE RECOGNIZED BY OTHER TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS.