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Transcription factors

Hi,

Can anyone please explain to me what transcription factors are and how they work? need to know this for my biology edexcel exam tomorrow.
Thanks
Original post by Amaani96
Hi,

Can anyone please explain to me what transcription factors are and how they work? need to know this for my biology edexcel exam tomorrow.
Thanks


Transcription factors are proteins that bind to DNA. They bind to promoters or upstream of promoters (regions on the DNA called enhancer sequences) and work by contacting/binding to RNA polymerase that has bound the promoter but is not actively transcribing the gene.

Once the transcription factor binds the promoter and contacts RNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is activated and begins transcription - i.e. it starts to produce mRNA. Think of a transcription factor as the key to the engine - without it the engine (transcription) cannot start but with it, it can.

In essence Transcription Factors are needed to switch on the process of transcription by RNA polymerase and therefore the production of mRNA.
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Amaani96
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bit late now m8

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