Formation of the transcription initiation complex begins when general transcription factors bind to a segment of dna called the .

Formation of the transcription initiation complex begins when general transcription factors bind to a segment of dna called the promoter. The RNA polymerase should be able to bind to the this segment in a DNA before transcription begins. The promoter initiates transcription and contains DNA sequences that are known by the proteins called the transcription factors. They are mostly located in the 5' region that is adjacent to the start site of transcription.