Final answer:
Combinatorial control of gene expression involves the interplay of elements like DNA methylation, histone acetylation, enhancers, silencers, promoters, and transcription factors, which work in concert to regulate transcription.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common factors that contribute to combinatorial control in gene expression include alternative splicing, DNA methylation, and histone acetylation; enhancers, silencers, and promoters; transcription factors, the DNA sequence, and RNA polymerase. These elements and processes work together to regulate the transcription of genes, influencing how genetic information is utilized within a cell. The control of gene expression is a highly coordinated event and involves various levels of regulation including changes made to the chromatin structure, the binding of transcription factors to specific DNA sites, and the recruitment of RNA polymerase for transcription initiation.