General transcription factors are those that are ______.

• A. unique to each specific gene and bind only to enhancers
• B. responsible for modifying histones to open chromatin structure
• C. required for the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II at all protein-coding gene promoters
• D. involved exclusively in the termination of transcription

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of general transcription factors (GTFs) in gene expression. GTFs are proteins that are essential for the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II across many genes, not just specific ones.
2. Recall that GTFs bind to core promoter regions near the transcription start site, helping to position RNA polymerase II correctly to begin transcription.
3. Differentiate GTFs from other factors such as gene-specific transcription factors, which bind to enhancers and regulate specific genes, and chromatin modifiers, which alter histone structure to affect chromatin accessibility.
4. Recognize that GTFs are not involved exclusively in termination of transcription; their primary function is at the initiation phase.
5. Conclude that the correct description of general transcription factors is that they are required for the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II at all protein-coding gene promoters.