Regulatory subunit of the cyclin-dependent kinase pair (CDK9/cyclin-T1) complex, also called positive transcription elongation factor B (P-TEFb), which facilitates the transition from abortive to productive elongation by phosphorylating the CTD (C-terminal domain) of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) (PubMed:16109376, PubMed:16109377, PubMed:30134174, PubMed:35393539). Required to activate the protein kinase activity of CDK9: acts by mediating formation of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) that enhances binding of P-TEFb to the CTD of RNA Pol II (PubMed:29849146, PubMed:35393539). ; (Microbial infection) In case of HIV or SIV infections, binds to the transactivation domain of the viral nuclear transcriptional activator, Tat, thereby increasing Tat’s affinity for the transactivating response RNA element (TAR RNA). Serves as an essential cofactor for Tat, by promoting RNA Pol II activation, allowing transcription of viral genes.
