Home > TATA box

In eukaryotes, it is normally bound by the TATA-binding protein (TBP), which melts the DNA, and bends it through 90°. The AT-rich sequence facilitates easy melting. The TBP is an unusual protein in that it binds the minor groove and binds with a β sheet.

Many genes lack a TATA box and use an initiator element or downstream core promoter instead.

1 Location

Found in the promoter region of most genes, about 25 base pairs upstream from the start site of transcription. It is usually adjacent to GC rich sequences.

2 Binding of histones

The binding of histones involves the N-terminal tail of H4.