Fig. 2

GLI2 directly activates ARHGEF16 transcription. a Putative GBS within the genomic sequence adjacent to the TSS of the ARHGEF16 gene. The GBS core sequence is underlined and bases other than the GBS consensus sequence are shown in red. b Consensus sequence of the GLI-binding site. c Schematic illustration of the distribution of GBS candidates within the ARHGEF16 promoter and luciferase reporter constructs Frag-I, -II, and -III containing indicated GBS. d Dual-luciferase assay for detecting the activating effects of GLI2 on Frag-I, -II, and -III reporter constructs in GLI2A and the control U87 cells. n = 3, **, P < 0.01. e Mutant GBS sequences in Frag-I and -III reporter constructs. f Dual-luciferase assay for Frag-I and its variants in Control and GLI2A U87 cells. “M plus GBS number” denotes the mutated GBS in the luciferase reporter mutants. n = 3, **, P < 0.01. g Dual-luciferase assay for Frag-III and its variants in Control and GLI2A U87 cells. n = 3, **, P < 0.01. h ChIP assay in H4 glioma cells to assess the binding of GLI2 to the ARHGEF16 promoter via GBS-2 and -9. n = 3, **, P < 0.01