Biochemistry and biology of the inducible multifunctional transcription factor TFII-I: 10 years later

Exactly twenty years ago TFII-I was discovered as a biochemical entity that was able to bind to and function via a core promoter element called the Initiator (Inr). Since then several different properties of this signal-induced multifunctional factor were discovered. Here I update these ever expanding functions of TFII-I--focusing primarily on the last ten years since the first review appeared in this journal.

► Here I discuss recently discovered properties of the transcription factor TFII-I. ► TFII-I family factors all have unique repeated domains. ► NMR structure of a TFII-I repeat domain is solved and shows a unique fold. ► TFII-I in important for promoter–enhancer communication. ► TFII-I is implicated in cancer, angiogenesis and neurocognitive development.