The function of TFAM (transcription factor A, mitochondrial, ENSG00000108064) is as follows. 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:19304746, PubMed:22841477). May play a role in organizing and compacting mitochondrial DNA (PubMed:22037171). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:1737790, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19304746, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20410300, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22037171, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22037172, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22841477, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29149603, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29445193, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32183942}.