Characterization of the highly conserved TFIIA small subunit from Drosophila melanogaster

TFIIA is a general transcription factor that modulates class II transcription initiation in vitro by functionally and physically interacting with TFIID or the derived TATA-binding protein (TBP). TFIIA was previously purified from human, bovine, rat, and yeast sources and has recently been identified in association with TFIID in Drosophila. Here, we report the cloning of a cDNA encoding the 12.5-kDa subunit of TFIIA from Drosophila melanogaster (dTFIIA-S) and the identification of a partial dTFIIA-S gene in Drosophila virilis. The deduced amino acid sequence of dTFIIA-S indicates a high degree of homology to the small TFIIA subunit from yeast and to a partial TFIIA-S cDNA identified in rice. A hybrid TFIIA consisting of recombinant dTFIIA-S and the recombinant human TFIIA/alpha gene product mimics natural TFIIA activity in a TBP-dependent DNA binding assay. The promoter complex formed with this hybrid TFIIA depends upon the TATA element and can be efficiently incorporated into a higher order preinitiation complex upon addition of TFIIB. The presence of dTFIIA-S within the TBP-TFIIA-promoter complex was demonstrated using anti-dTFIIA-S antiserum. Finally, the ability of recombinant dTFIIA-S to reconstitute transcriptionally active TFIIA was demonstrated in a well defined human transcription system.