Question

__________ are proteins that bind to the core promoter near the start point for transcription and are involved in the recruitment of RNA polymerase II.

A) Transactivators
B) Enhancers
C) Basal transcription factors
D) Histone 3 variants
E) Repressors

Answer 1

Basal transcription factors are the correct answer as they bind to the core promoter to recruit RNA polymerase II for transcription initiation in eukaryotic cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Basal transcription factors are proteins that bind to the core promoter near the start point for transcription and are involved in the recruitment of RNA polymerase II. These factors, often denoted as TFII (Transcription Factor for polymerase II) followed by another letter, such as TFIID, which includes the TATA-binding protein (TBP), are essential for the formation of the preinitiation complex. This complex is fundamental for setting the stage for the transcription initiation of protein-coding genes in eukaryotes.

While enhancers also play a role in gene expression by binding to activators which may interact with the initiation complex, they serve to increase the efficiency of transcription rather than being necessary for the transcription process itself. Similar to enhancers, repressors can influence the regulation of gene expression but by turning genes off, contrasting with enhancers which help to turn genes on.

The correct answer to the student's question is C) Basal transcription factors.

Answer 2

Basal transcription factors bind to the core promoter and help recruit RNA polymerase II, playing a key role in initiating transcription.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proteins that bind to the core promoter near the start point for transcription and are involved in the recruitment of RNA polymerase II are called Basal transcription factors.

These factors assemble into a preinitiation complex and are pivotal in initiating the transcription process.

They work with enhancers and other regulatory elements that modulate the efficiency and frequency of transcription by interacting with various transcription factors, bending DNA, and forming complexes that facilitate the binding of RNA polymerase II and transcription initiation.