Answer: D) gene transcription is initiated.
Explanation: A steroid hormone binds to its specific receptor protein inside the nucleus of a cell to form a hormone-receptor complex which binds to highly specific DNA sequences known as hormone response elements. The binding of the hormone to its receptor triggers a change in conformation of the receptor protein so that they become capable of interacting with additional transcription factors. The bound hormone-receptor complex can either enhance or suppress the expression of adjacent genes. Therefore the formation of the hormone receptor complex either initiation of gene transcription.