What effect can ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling have on transcription?

• A. It can decrease transcription by permanently silencing genes.
• B. It can only increase transcription by adding methyl groups to DNA.
• C. It can have no effect on transcription as it only affects DNA replication.
• D. It can increase transcription by making DNA more accessible to transcription factors.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chromatin remodeling is a process that alters the structure of chromatin, making DNA more or less accessible to transcription machinery.
2. Recognize that ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling involves the use of energy from ATP to reposition or restructure nucleosomes, which are the basic units of chromatin.
3. Consider how making DNA more accessible can facilitate the binding of transcription factors and RNA polymerase, thereby increasing the rate of transcription.
4. Acknowledge that chromatin remodeling can also lead to decreased transcription if it results in a more compact chromatin structure, but the focus here is on increasing accessibility.
5. Conclude that ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling can increase transcription by making DNA more accessible to transcription factors, which is essential for gene expression.