Structure and functional properties of human general transcription factor IIE

Abstract
The general transcription factor HE (TFIIE) is an essential component of the eukaryotic RNA poly-merase II initiation complex. We have isolated human complementary DNA clones for both the subunits of TFIIE. Using purified recombinant proteins we find that both subunits are essential to form a stable preinitiation complex and to reconstitute basal-level and Sp1-activated transcription in vitro. Analysis of their predicted amino-acid sequences reveals several intriguing structural motifs that could provide insight into the role of TFIIE in transcription initiation.