Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy
Published on: October 4, 2019
C/EBPβ mediates RNA polymerase III-driven transcription of oncomiR-138 in malignant gliomas
Federica Di Pascale1,2, Srikanth Nama1, Manish Muhuri1
1Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science Technology & Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore.
Abstract:
MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) is a pro-survival oncomiR for glioma stem cells. In malignant gliomas, dysregulated expression of microRNAs, such as miR-138, promotes Tumour initiation and progression. Here, we identify the ancillary role of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) as a transcriptional activator of miR-138. We demonstrate that a short 158 bp DNA sequence encoding the precursor of miR-138-2 is essential and sufficient for transcription of miR-138. This short sequence includes the A-box and B-box elements characteristic of RNA Polymerase III (Pol III) promoters, and is also directly bound by C/EBPβ via an embedded 'C/EBPβ responsive element' (CRE). CRE and the Pol III B-box element overlap, suggesting that C/EBPβ and transcription factor 3C (TFIIIC) interact at the miR-138-2 locus. We propose that this interaction is essential for the recruitment of the RNA Pol III initiation complex and associated transcription of the oncomiR, miR-138 in malignant gliomas.
Related Concept Videos
MicroRNAs
MicroRNAs
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic...
Transcription Initiation
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Master Transcription Regulators

