What is the Function of the TATA Box

Question

What is the function of the TATA box?
A) The TATA box is a signal for transcription termination
B) The TATA box binds TFIID
C) The TATA box binds to Mediator
D) TATA directs the spliceosome to the correct splice sites

Accepted Answer

The TATA box is a DNA sequence (consensus sequence TATAAAA) found upstream from the transcription start site in many eukaryotic gene promoters. It is the binding site for the TFIID (Transcription factor IID) protein, which is the first protein to bind to a gene's promoter during the process of transcription initiation. Thus, the TATA box functions as a promoter element that helps to recruit and position the RNA polymerase II complex for efficient transcription initiation.