Berico P, Coin F · 2018 · Transcription · Taylor & Francis · added 2026-04-20
TFIIH is a 10-subunit complex involved in transcription and DNA repair. It contains several enzymatic activities including a ATP-dependent DNA translocase in XPB and a cyclin-dependent kinase in CDK7. Show more
TFIIH is a 10-subunit complex involved in transcription and DNA repair. It contains several enzymatic activities including a ATP-dependent DNA translocase in XPB and a cyclin-dependent kinase in CDK7. Recently the discovery of several XPB and CDK7 inhibitors with specific impact on the transcriptional addiction of many tumors pinpointed these activities as potential target in cancer chemotherapy. Unexpectedly a basal transcription factor involved in global mRNA expression now emerges a one of the most clinically promising Achilles heels of cancerous cells. These inhibitors also proved to be useful tools to unveil new functions of TFIIH in gene expression. Show less
TFIIH is a 10-subunit complex that regulates RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription but
also serves other important biological roles. Although much remains unknown about TFIIH function
in eukaryotic Show more
TFIIH is a 10-subunit complex that regulates RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription but
also serves other important biological roles. Although much remains unknown about TFIIH function
in eukaryotic cells, much progress has been made even in just the past few years, due in part to
technological advances (e.g. cryoEM and single molecule methods) and the development of chemical inhibitors of TFIIH enzymes. This review focuses on the major cellular roles for TFIIH, with an
emphasis on TFIIH function as a regulator of pol II transcription. We describe the structure of TFIIH
and its roles in pol II initiation, promoter-proximal pausing, elongation, and termination. We also
discuss cellular roles for TFIIH beyond transcription (e.g. DNA repair, cell cycle regulation) and
summarize small molecule inhibitors of TFIIH and diseases associated with defects in TFIIH structure and function. Show less