After a steroid hormone binds to its receptor to form an active complex,

A) adenyl cyclase is activated.
B) cyclic nucleotides are formed.
C) G proteins are phosphylated.
D) gene transcription is initiated.
E) protein kinases are activated.

D) gene transcription is initiated.

Explanation: A steroid hormone binds to its specific receptor protein inside the nucleus of a cell to form a hormone-receptor complex which binds to highly specific DNA sequences known as hormone response elements. The binding of the hormone to its receptor triggers a change in conformation of the receptor protein so that they become capable of interacting with additional transcription factors. The bound hormone-receptor complex can either enhance or suppress the expression of adjacent genes. Therefore the formation of the hormone receptor complex either initiation of gene transcription.