The activation of p38 MAPK primarily contributes to UV-induced RhoB expression by recruiting the c-Jun and p300 to the distal CCAAT box of the RhoB promoter

► Regulation of transcriptional activation of RhoB is still unclear. ► We examine the effect of p38 MAPK inhibition, and c-Jun and RhoB depletion on UV-induced RhoB expression and apoptosis. ► We identify the regions of RhoB promoter necessary to confer UV responsiveness using pRhoB-luciferase reporter assays. ► c-Jun, ATF2 and p300 are dominantly associated with NF-Y on the distal CCAAT box. ► The activation of p38 MAPK primarily contribute to UV-induced RhoB expression by recruiting the c-Jun and p300 proteins on distal CCAAT box of RhoB promoter.