Wildtype or mutated TERT sequences were cloned into a dual luciferase reporter plasmid (pEZX-MT05, Genecopoeia). 3 x 105 HeLa cells were forward-transfected with 0.8 µg reporter plasmid and 20 nM control mimic or miR-128 mimic with Attractene transfection reagent (301005, Qiagen) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Relative Gaussia luciferase and secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) levels were determined with the Secrete-Pair Dual Luminescence Assay Kit (SPDA-D010, Genecopoeia) on a Tecan Infinite F200 microplate reader.