Biological process

GO:0001123

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex assembly at promoter, DNA-dependent transcription, initiation, DNA-templated transcription, initiation, initiation of DNA-dependent transcription, initiation of transcription, DNA-dependent

The initial step of transcription, consisting of the assembly of the RNA polymerase preinitiation complex (PIC) at a gene promoter, as well as the formation of the first few bonds of the RNA transcript. Transcription initiation includes abortive initiation events, which occur when the first few nucleotides are repeatedly synthesized and then released, and ends when promoter clearance takes place.

transcription initiation factor activity, transcription initiation, DNA-dependent

Note that promoter clearance is represented as a separate step, not part_of either initiation or elongation.