taf-4 encodes a TAFII (TBP(TATA-binding protein)-associated factor) that is orthologous to human TAF4 (hTAFII130); TAF-4 is predicted to be a component of the TFIID mRNA transcription complex and is generally required for early embryonic mRNA transcription; consistent with this observation, taf-4(RNAi) results in embryonic lethality at the ~100-cell stage with little cell differentiation, similar to the loss of AMA-1/RNA polymerase II activity; TAF-4 is detected in nuclei in the adult germline, oocytes, and embryo, from the 2-cell stage through early morphogenesis.
Predicted to enable DNA binding activity. Predicted to contribute to RNA polymerase II general transcription initiation factor activity. Involved in several processes, including determination of adult lifespan; regulation of mitotic cell cycle, embryonic; and transcription initiation at RNA polymerase II promoter. Located in cytoplasm and nucleus. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in spermatogenic failure 13. Is an ortholog of human TAF4B (TATA-box binding protein associated factor 4b).
This gene was previously called taf-5. [krb 020614]
Map position created from combination of previous interpolated map position (based on known location of sequence) and allele information. Therefore this is not a genetic map position based on recombination frequencies or genetic experiments. This was done on advice of the CGC.