TFIIH: a link between transcription, DNA repair and cell cycle regulation.

TFIIH is a basal transcription factor for protein-coding genes. It contains ERCC2, ERCC3, MO15 and cyclin H, polypeptides implicated in nucleotide excision repair or cell cycle regulation. The dysfunction of TFIIH could result in a large panel of genetic disorders, such as xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne's syndrome and trichothiodystrophy. This link between transcription, DNA repair and cell cycle has highlighted a complex and essential role for TFIIH in the cell and has provided much information on the molecular mechanisms of each of these cellular processes.