Role of Transcription Factors in Gene Expression Regulation

In molecular biology, the regulation of gene expression is crucial for cellular function and adaptation. One of the primary mechanisms through which gene expression is regulated involves protein-DNA interactions that occur in the promoter region of a gene. Proteins known as transcription factors bind to specific DNA sequences to either promote or inhibit the transcription of target genes. Understanding the roles of different transcription factors is essential to comprehending how cells can respond to various signaling pathways.

One can categorize transcription factors based on their functions, including activators, which enhance gene expression, and repressors, which inhibit it. Given this context, which of the following options best describes the role of a transcription factor that primarily functions to downregulate the expression of a gene?