Chinese Bulletin of Botany

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Research Progress on the Molecular Functions of Plant TBP and its Associated Factors (TAFs)

Ranran Wu1, Xueying Zheng1, 2, Qiyuan Jia1, 3, Yu Wang1, 2, Yi Zhang1, 2, Xingxing Yuan1, Jidao Du2, Xin Chen1, 2*   

  1. 1Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; 2College of Agriculture, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China; 3College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

  • Received:2025-09-04 Revised:2025-10-24 Online:2025-11-11 Published:2025-11-11
  • Contact: Xin Chen

Abstract: The TATA-binding protein (TBP) and TBP-associated factors (TAFs) constitute the core subunits of the general transcription factor TFIID complex. As a key regulatory element for RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription initiation, TFIID plays a crucial role in promoter recognition and the assembly of the preinitiation complex. Recent studies have increasingly revealed that TBP and TAFs are not only involved in core promoter activation but also regulate critical biological processes in plants, including organ differentiation, fertility, flowering time, hormone responses, and stress adaptation. This review systematically summarizes the research advances in understanding the molecular functions of TBP and TAFs in plants. It encompasses the structural features of TBP and TAF proteins and their core roles in basal transcription, as well as their regulation of plant growth and development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. This synthesis aims to provide novel transcriptional regulatory gene targets and new strategies for crop trait improvement.

Key words: TBP, TAFs, structural features, molecular function, growth and development, biotic/abiotic stress