Final answer:
The TATA box is the DNA sequence 25 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site where the TFIID protein complex binds to initiate transcription.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that binds at the DNA sequence called the TATA box, which is typically located 25 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site, is a protein complex known as TFIID. This complex contains a TATA-binding protein that is crucial for the initiation of transcription. The TATA box has the consensus sequence of 5'-TATAAA-3' and is essential for the binding of other transcription factors, such as TFIIB, TFIIE, TFIIF, and TFIIH, which together with TFIID help to bind RNA polymerase and activate the transcription initiation complex.