# DGCR8

Source: https://onco.cc/targets/dgcr8/  
OnCo record `dgcr8` (Target). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

DGCR8 (Microprocessor complex subunit DGCR8) is a gene that drives cell growth when it is altered. The public catalogues list it as an oncogene driver and a tumour suppressor, and it is called a cancer driver by mutation analysis of patient cohorts. Tied to Mesothelioma, Thyroid cancer, Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and 3 more.

## Summary

Component of the microprocessor complex that acts as a RNA- and heme-binding protein that is involved in the initial step of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. Component of the microprocessor complex that is required to process primary miRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) to release precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) in the nucleus. Within the microprocessor complex, DGCR8 function as a molecular anchor necessary for the recognition of pri-miRNA at dsRNA-ssRNA junction and directs DROSHA to cleave 11 bp away form the junction to release hairpin-shaped pre-miRNAs that are subsequently cut by the cytoplasmic DICER to generate mature miRNAs.

IntOGen calls it a driver in 4 cohorts (3 activating, 1 loss-of-function), covering Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, NOS, Pleural Mesothelioma, Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer, Wilms' Tumour.

## Fields

- Kind: Target
- Last checked: 2026-09-23
- Also known as: DGCR8 microprocessor complex subunit; Microprocessor complex subunit DGCR8; DGCRK6; Gy1; pasha; C22orf12
- Tags: cancer-genes-wave
- Symbol: DGCR8
- Class: oncogene
- Biology: Component of the microprocessor complex that acts as a RNA- and heme-binding protein that is involved in the initial step of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. Component of the microprocessor complex that is required to process primary miRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) to release precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) in the nucleus. Within the microprocessor complex, DGCR8 function as a molecular anchor necessary for the recognition of pri-miRNA at dsRNA-ssRNA junction and directs DROSHA to cleave 11 bp away form the junction to release hairpin-shaped pre-miRNAs that are subsequently cut by the cytoplasmic DICER to generate mature miRNAs. The heme-bound DGCR8 dimer binds pri-miRNAs as a cooperative trimer (of dimers) and is active in triggering pri-miRNA cleavage, whereas the heme-free DGCR8 monomer binds pri-miRNAs as a dimer and is much less active. Both double-stranded and single-stranded regions of a pri-miRNA are required for its binding. Specifically recognises and binds N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-containing pri-miRNAs, a modification required for pri-miRNAs processing. Location: Nucleus; Nucleus, nucleolus (UniProt). Locus 22q11.21 (HGNC).
- Where found: Mesothelioma: IntOGen driver in 1 cohort (PLMESO); Thyroid cancer: IntOGen driver in 1 cohort (WDTC); Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: IntOGen driver in 1 cohort (DLBCLNOS); Pleural mesothelioma: IntOGen driver in 1 cohort (PLMESO); Papillary thyroid cancer: IntOGen driver in 1 cohort (WDTC); Wilms tumour: IntOGen driver in 1 cohort (WT)

## Notes

- Written by scripts/fetch-cancer-genes.ts from CIViC, Open Targets, IntOGen, HGNC and UniProt; the function text is UniProt's, condensed and in UK spelling. Roles: IntOGen calls it an activating (Act) driver in 3 cohorts; IntOGen calls it a loss-of-function (LoF) driver in 1 cohort. Evidence tier "cohort-driver" is the strongest of those signals.
- Prevalence not recorded: none of the sources gives a positivity rate.

## Sources

- HGNC HGNC:2847: https://www.genenames.org/data/gene-symbol-report/#!/hgnc_id/HGNC:2847
- UniProt Q8WYQ5: https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/Q8WYQ5/entry
- NCBI Gene 54487: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/54487
- Ensembl ENSG00000128191: https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000128191

## Connected records

- collections: [IntOGen](https://onco.cc/collections/intogen/)
- cancers: [Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/dlbcl/), [Mesothelioma](https://onco.cc/cancers/mesothelioma/), [Papillary thyroid cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/papillary-thyroid-cancer/), [Pleural mesothelioma](https://onco.cc/cancers/pleural-mesothelioma/), [Thyroid cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/thyroid/), [Wilms tumour (nephroblastoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/wilms-tumor/)

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JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/dgcr8.json