TFAM
TFAM (transcription factor A, mitochondrial) is a mitochondrial DNA-binding protein that regulates mitochondrial transcription and helps maintain mitochondrial DNA. It is also known as TCF6 and TCF6L2, and is a component of the mitochondrial transcription initiation complex. Browse Assay Genie's current range of TFAM research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
TFAM binds the mitochondrial light strand promoter and regulates transcription of mitochondrial DNA. It is part of the mitochondrial transcription initiation complex, which contains at least TFB2M, TFAM and POLRMT and is required for basal transcription of mitochondrial DNA. Within this complex, TFAM recruits POLRMT to a specific promoter, while TFB2M induces structural changes in POLRMT that allow promoter opening and trapping of the non-template DNA strand. TFAM is therefore required for accurate and efficient promoter recognition by the mitochondrial RNA polymerase.
TFAM promotes transcription initiation from the HSP1 and light strand promoters by binding immediately upstream of the transcriptional start sites. It can unwind DNA and, through its HMG boxes, bends the light strand promoter DNA into a U-turn shape. It is required for maintaining normal levels of mitochondrial DNA and may also help organise and compact it. The protein localises to the mitochondrial matrix and the mitochondrial nucleoid.
The TFAM gene encodes a key mitochondrial transcription factor with two high mobility group motifs, and the protein also functions in mitochondrial DNA replication and repair. HGNC places it in the group of mitochondrial transcription initiation complex subunits. Sequence polymorphisms in the gene are associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Pseudogenes exist on chromosomes 6, 7 and 11, and alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants. Mouse and rat orthologs are both named Tfam.
TFAM recruits POLRMT to promoters as part of the initiation complex with TFB2M, making it central to studies of basal mitochondrial DNA transcription.
TFAM is required for normal mitochondrial DNA levels and may compact mtDNA, so it is studied in mtDNA copy number and organisation.
The protein also functions in mitochondrial DNA replication and repair, supporting research into how mitochondrial genome integrity is preserved.
Sequence polymorphisms in the TFAM gene are associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, making it relevant to mitochondrial aspects of neurodegeneration.
TFAM binds the mitochondrial light strand promoter and is part of the transcription initiation complex with TFB2M and POLRMT. It recruits POLRMT to promoters, bends promoter DNA through its HMG boxes, and is required for maintaining normal mitochondrial DNA levels.
TFAM stands for transcription factor A, mitochondrial. Other names and symbols are TCF6 and TCF6L2. According to the NCBI Gene summary, alternative splicing of the gene results in multiple transcript variants, and pseudogenes lie on chromosomes 6, 7 and 11.
NCBI Gene reports that sequence polymorphisms in TFAM are associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Orthologs exist in mouse and rat, both named Tfam; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other components of the mitochondrial transcription initiation complex and related mitochondrial DNA regulators.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q00059; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.