An activation domain works by making protein-protein contacts with general transcription factors that promote assembly of the basal apparatus
Contact with the basal apparatus may be made with any one of several basal factors, but typically occurs with TFIID, TFIIB, or TFIIA. All of these factors participate in early stages of assembly of the basal apparatus.
IMPORTANT
TFIID may be the most common target for activators, which may contact any one of several TAFs. In fact, a major role of the TAFs is to provide the connection from the basal apparatus to activators. This explains why the TATA-binding protein (TBP) alone can support basal-level transcription, whereas the TAFs of TF D are required for the higher levels of transcription that are stimulated by activators.
In any case, the interaction stabilizes the basal transcription complex, speeds the process of initiation, and thereby increases use of the promoter