Final answer:
The TATA-binding protein (TBP) within the TFIID complex binds to the TATA box in the promoter region of eukaryotic genes to initiate transcription by recruiting other transcription factors and RNA polymerase II.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interaction of TBP with the TATA Box
The TATA box is a crucial component of the core promoter region in eukaryotic genes, which is typically located 25 to 35 bases upstream of the transcriptional start site. The consensus sequence for the TATA box is 5'-TATAAA-3'. A protein complex known as TFIID, which includes the TATA-binding protein (TBP), binds to this sequence. The role of TBP within TFIID is to recognize and attach to the TATA box, initiating the formation of the transcription initiation complex. Once TBF binds to the TATA box, it recruits additional transcription factors, including TFIIB, TFIIE, TFIIF, and TFIIH. These factors, along with the binding of RNA polymerase II, lead to the assembly of a complex that enables the transcription of genes. The interaction of TBP with the TATA box serves as a starting point for the transcription process, demonstrating its essential role in gene expression regulation.