Final answer:
Transcription factors are central to the process of gene regulation, which involves epigenetic changes to control gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself. These factors bind to specific DNA sequences, influencing the chromosomal structure's openness and thereby determining whether a gene will be turned on or off.
Step-by-step explanation:
By turning on the genes that encode for rearrangement, a network of transcription factors is centrally involved. Transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences (cis regulatory elements) to either promote or inhibit the transcription of genes. In eukaryotic cells, these transcription factors and their binding to DNA play a pivotal role in gene regulation, allowing for the proper expression of genes necessary for cell differentiation and function.
An integral aspect of this regulation is epigenetic regulation, which involves modifications to the chromosomal structure of DNA and histone proteins. These modifications dictate whether a gene will be accessible (open chromosomal configuration) or inaccessible (closed chromosomal configuration) for transcription. Such epigenetic changes, while not altering the nucleotide sequence of DNA, are crucial in determining the genes that are active or silent.