Regulation of pluripotency by general transcription factors

Transcription factor II D (TFIID) is a kind of general transcription factors, and plays critical role in transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). It is composed of TATA binding protein (TBP) and several TBP-associated factors (TAFs). Although its role in transcription is well studied, it is not clear whether it has tissue- or development-specific function. Pijnappel et al. identified the role of TFIID in the regulation of embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity, thereby enriching our understanding of the multifaceted functions of TFIID and also the mechanisms that govern ESC fate.Editorial | Biohelikon : Cell Biolog