Transcription of the Acanthamoeba tbp gene is stimulated by a cis-acting promoter element that is bound by an activator protein, TATA-binding protein promoter binding factor (TPBF). Here, we report the complete purification of TPBF and describe its transcription activating and DNA-binding properties. TPBF contains two polypeptides with molecular weights of 51,000 and 50,000, whereas the native molecular weight of TPBF suggests it is dimeric or trimeric in solution. Phosphatase treatment of TPBF converts the 51,000 molecular weight species to the 50,000 molecular weight form, demonstrating that TPBF is phosphorylated. Phosphorylation reduces DNA binding by TPBF, as assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays after phosphatase treatment. TPBF makes numerous contacts with the bases and phosphate backbone of its DNA recognition element, and the pattern of these contacts suggests that it is a novel type of DNA-binding protein. TPBF can bind to additional, low affinity sites within the TBP gene promoter, suggesting that, in addition to positive activation of tbp gene expression, TPBF could also inhibit transcription by competing for binding sites for other proteins within the TBP promoter.