Biochemistry and biology of the inducible multifunctional transcription factor TFII-I

An animal cell has the capability to respond to a variety of external signals through cell surface receptors. The response is usually manifested in terms of altered gene expression in the nucleus. Thus, in modern molecular and cell biology, it has become important to understand how the communication between extracellular signals and nuclear gene transcription is achieved. Originally discovered as a basal factor required for initiator-dependent transcription in vitro, recent evidence suggests that TFII-I is also an inducible multifunctional transcription factor that is activated in response to a variety of extracellular signals and translocates to the nucleus to turn on signal-induced genes. Here I review the biochemical and biological properties of TFII-I and related proteins in nuclear gene transcription, signal transduction and genetic disorders.