Question

In eukaryotic cells, general transcription factors are required for the activity of all promoters transcribed by RNA polymerase II. The assembly of the genral transcription factors being with binding of the factor _________________ to DNA, causing a marked local distortion in the DNA.

Answer 1

The assembly of general transcription factors in eukaryotic cells starts with the TATA-binding protein (TBP), part of TFIID, binding to DNA. This event distorts the DNA and facilitates the formation of the pre-initiation complex necessary for RNA polymerase II to initiate transcription.

Step-by-step explanation:

In eukaryotic cells, the assembly of general transcription factors begins with the binding of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) to DNA, which is a subunit of the transcription factor TFIID. This binding of TBP to the DNA causes a significant distortion in the DNA structure, making it easier for subsequent transcription factors to assemble and for RNA polymerase II to initiate transcription. The assembly of these factors at the promoter forms the pre-initiation complex, which is essential for the transcription of genes. After TFIID binds, other TFII transcription factors systematically fall into place on the DNA template, each further stabilizing the pre-initiation complex and contributing to the recruitment of RNA polymerase II.