Transcription is initiated by transcription factors binding to specific DNA sequences.

Transcription factors are proteins that bind to DNA and control gene expression in eukaryotes by decreasing or increasing the rate of transcription.

Effectively, transcription factors can switch the transcription of a gene off or on.

mRNA is produced during transcription, carrying the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome.

Transcription factors cannot bind to DNA, preventing transcription and polypeptide synthesis.

1. Steroid hormones like oestrogen diffuse through the cell-surface membrane
2. Within the cell, the hormones can bind to transcription factors
3. This causes the DNA binding site on the transcription factor to change shape and become active
4. The activated transcription factor enters the nucleus and binds to specific base sequences on DNA
5. This stimulates the transcription of the gene at that DNA sequence