The TFIID basal transcription factor complex plays a major role in the initiation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription. TFIID recognizes and binds promoters with or without a TATA box via its subunit TBP, a TATA-box-binding protein, and promotes assembly of the pre-initiation complex (PIC). The TFIID complex consists of TBP and TBP-associated factors (TAFs), including TAF1, TAF2, TAF3, TAF4, TAF5, TAF6, TAF7, TAF8, TAF9, TAF10, TAF11, TAF12 and TAF13. The TFIID complex structure can be divided into 3 modules TFIID-A, TFIID-B, and TFIID-C. TAF8 is involved in forming the TFIID-B module, together with TAF5. Mediates both basal and activator-dependent transcription. Plays a role in the differentiation of preadipocyte fibroblasts to adipocytes, however, does not seem to play a role in differentiation of myoblasts. Required for the integration of TAF10 in the TAF complex (By similarity). May be important for survival of cells of the inner cell mass which constitute the pluripotent cell population of the early embryo (By similarity). Component of the TFIID basal transcription factor complex, composed of TATA-box-binding protein TBP, and a number of TBP-associated factors (TAFs), including TAF1, TAF2, TAF3, TAF4, TAF5, TAF6, TAF7, TAF8, TAF9, TAF10, TAF11, TAF12 and TAF13. Interacts with TBP, TAF1, TAF6, TAF10, TAF11 and TAF13. Component also of a small TAF complex (SMAT) containing TAF8, TAF10 and SUPT7L. Forms a heterodimer with TAF10. Interaction with TAF10 is mediated mainly via its histone fold domain while interaction with SUPT7L is via its C-terminal region. Localized in the cytoplasm and transported from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in some cells, possibly depending on the functional or developmental state of the cell. Belongs to the TAF8 family.