Binds to the mitochondrial light strand promoter and functions in mitochondrial transcription regulation (PubMed:
29445193, PubMed:
32183942). Component of the mitochondrial transcription initiation complex, composed at least of TFB2M, TFAM and POLRMT that is required for basal transcription of mitochondrial DNA (PubMed:
29149603). In this complex, TFAM recruits POLRMT to a specific promoter whereas TFB2M induces structural changes in POLRMT to enable promoter opening and trapping of the DNA non-template strand (PubMed:
20410300). Required for accurate and efficient promoter recognition by the mitochondrial RNA polymerase (PubMed:
22037172). Promotes transcription initiation from the HSP1 and the light strand promoter by binding immediately upstream of transcriptional start sites (PubMed:
22037172). Is able to unwind DNA (PubMed:
22037172). Bends the mitochondrial light strand promoter DNA into a U-turn shape via its HMG boxes (PubMed:
1737790). Required for maintenance of normal levels of mitochondrial DNA (PubMed:
22841477, PubMed:
19304746). May play a role in organizing and compacting mitochondrial DNA (PubMed:
22037171).
