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Updated: May 25, 2026
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Published on: August 26, 2012
Subunit architecture of general transcription factor TFIIH
Brian J Gibbons1, Edward J Brignole, Maia Azubel
1Department of Structural Biology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Summary
Electron microscopy revealed the structure of yeast TFIIH and its subcomplexes. This structural map precisely locates core subunits and catalytic components like Ssl2 and Kin28 near their targets in the preinitiation complex.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Transcription factor II H (TFIIH) is a crucial multi-subunit complex regulating gene transcription.
- Understanding TFIIH's structure is essential for deciphering its role in DNA repair and transcription initiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the high-resolution structures of the complete 10-subunit yeast TFIIH and its subcomplexes.
- To map the precise locations of TFIIH subunits and identify their functional domains.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy (EM) and 3D reconstruction were employed to visualize TFIIH structures.
- Integration of existing X-ray crystallographic data with EM maps for detailed structural analysis.
Main Results:
- Structures of 5, 6, 7, and 10-subunit yeast TFIIH complexes were resolved.
- The "minimal core" subunits were localized, and additional densities were attributed to Rad3, Ssl2, and the TFIIK trimer.
- A preliminary model of the RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex was generated.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a detailed structural framework for yeast TFIIH and its functional interactions.
- Key catalytic subunits, Ssl2 ATPase/helicase and Kin28 kinase, are positioned near their targets (promoter DNA and RNA polymerase C-terminal domain).
- This structural insight facilitates a deeper understanding of transcription initiation mechanisms.
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