Human TATA-box binding protein (TBP) is an essential component of the general transcription initiation complex, required for transcription of all nuclear encoded genes. It possesses a polyglutamine (polyQ) stretch of 38 glutamine residues, involved in interactions with other polyQ-containing proteins. This study shows that the molecular chaperone Hsp40 can form transient complexes with TBP. The interactions of TBP with Hsp40 shield the polyQ-fragment and prevent the co-aggregation of TBP with disease polyQ-proteins.
Topic: CHEMISTRY