Question

Phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II releases the polymerase from most of the general transcription factors so it can begin transcription. Inhibition of phosphorylation by a kinase inhibitor most likely targets:

A) TFIIB
B) TFIID
C) TFIIF
D) TFIIH
E) TFIIG

Answer 1

The inhibition of phosphorylation by a kinase inhibitor in the context of transcription initiation most likely targets the transcription factor TFIIH, as it is responsible for the phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question deals with the process of transcription initiation in eukaryotic cells, where phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II is essential for the release of the polymerase from general transcription factors, allowing transcription to start. The kinase responsible for phosphorylating RNA polymerase II is associated with the transcription factor TFIIH. Therefore, inhibiting this phosphorylation would most likely target TFIIH. The role of TFIIH involves both the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the promoter as well as altering its structure through phosphorylation, which releases the polymerase to initiate transcription.