Question

TFIIH can release RNA polymerase II from TFIIB by?

1) methylating the RNA polymerase II
2) phosphorylating the RNA polymerase II
3) adding a hydroxyl group to TFIIB
4) adding a carboxyl group to TFIIB

Answer 1

TFIIH releases RNA polymerase II from TFIIB by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II, allowing transcription to start.

Step-by-step explanation:

TFIIH can release RNA polymerase II from TFIIB by phosphorylating the RNA polymerase II. This modification adds several phosphates to the amino terminus (tail) of the RNA polymerase II, which results in some of the transcription factors dissociating from the initiation complex. The phosphorylation alters the configuration of RNA polymerase II, allowing it to begin the transcription process and synthesize messenger RNA (mRNA).