Question

Transcription factors are important molecules that regulate gene activity in eukaryotes. What are the two general classes of transcription factors that exist in eukaryotes? Describe where they bind and what their effects are.

Answer 1

In eukaryotes, there are two general classes of transcription factors: general transcription factors and specific transcription factors. General transcription factors are necessary for the initiation of transcription, while specific transcription factors regulate gene expression by binding to enhancer sequences.

Step-by-step explanation:

In eukaryotes, there are two general classes of transcription factors: general transcription factors and specific transcription factors.

General Transcription Factors:

General transcription factors are necessary for the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter region and the initiation of transcription. They are recruited to the core promoter, which is located just upstream of the transcription start site. Examples of general transcription factors in eukaryotes include TFIID, TFIIA, TFIIB, and TFIIH.

Specific Transcription Factors:

Specific transcription factors bind to enhancer sequences, which are regulatory elements located either proximal or distal to the promoter. These enhancer sequences can interact with the promoter region through DNA looping, allowing the specific transcription factors to regulate gene expression. Specific transcription factors can either activate or repress gene transcription by recruiting coactivators or corepressors, respectively.