The TFIID basal transcription factor complex plays a major role in the initiation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription (By similarity). TFIID recognizes and binds promoters via its subunit tbp-1, a TATA-box-binding protein, and promotes assembly of the pre-initiation complex (PIC) (By similarity). The TFIID complex consists of tbp-1 and TBP-associated factors (TAFs), including taf-10 (By similarity). Essential for early embryonic development, but not required for transcription of some genes; probably acts via activating transcription initiation by RNA Pol II, as part of the TFIID complex (PubMed:11566890). Component of the TFIID basal transcription factor complex, composed of TATA-box-binding protein tbp-1, and a number of TBP-associated factors (TAFs). Expressed from the 4-cell stage through late gastrulation (at protein level) (PubMed:11566890). May be maternally expressed (PubMed:11566890). RNAi-mediated knockdown causes arrested development at 90-100 cells and inhibits differentiation (PubMed:11566890). The two E cell daughters (E2 cells), which form the endoderm, divide abnormally early, immediately after the MS2 cells (PubMed:11566890). Phosphorylation of the RNA Pol II large subunit C-terminal domain (CTD) is reduced slightly in embryos (PubMed:11566890). Abolishes expression of taf-9, perhaps as a result of altered protein stability (PubMed:11566890). Reduces expression of a range of genes, including let-858, rps-5, hsp16.2, and pes-10, but has little or no effect on expression of cki-2 and sur-5 (PubMed:11566890). Belongs to the TAF10 family. Throughout PMID:11566890, the gene name taf-11 is used instead of taf-10, based on an earlier nomenclature; readers should be aware to avoid confusion.