tfscan takes a sequence and the name of one of these taxonomic groups and does a fast match of the TRANSFAC sequences against the input sequence (optionally allowing mismatches).

Here is a sample session with tfscan:

% tfscan
Input sequence(s): embl:hsfos
Transcription Factor Class
         F : fungi
         I : insect
         P : plant
         V : vertebrate
         O : other
Select class [V]: v
Number of mismatches [0]:
Output file [hsfos.tfscan]:

Mandatory qualifiers:

[-sequence] (seqall)

Sequence database USA.

-menu (menu)

Select class.

-mismatch (integer)

Number of mismatches.

[-outfile] (outfile)

Output filename.