The splicing factor DHX38/PRP16 is required for ovarian clear cell carcinoma tumorigenesis, as revealed by a CRISPR-Cas9 screen

FEBS Open Bio. 2022 Mar;12(3):582-593. doi: 10.1002/2211-5463.13358. Epub 2022 Jan 28.

Abstract

Certain cancers, such as ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC), display high levels of genetic variation between patients, making it difficult to develop effective therapies. In order to identify novel genes critical to OCCC growth, we carried out a comprehensive CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen against cell growth using an OCCC cell line and a normal ovarian surface epithelium cell line. We identified the gene encoding DHX38/PRP16, an ATP-dependent RNA helicase involved in splicing, as critical for the growth and tumorigenesis of OCCC. DHX38/PRP16 knockdown in OCCC cells, but not normal cells, induces apoptosis and impairs OCCC tumorigenesis in a mouse model. Our results suggest that DHX38/PRP16 may play a role in OCCC tumorigenesis and could potentially be a promising therapeutic target.

Keywords: DHX38; PRP16; apoptosis; ovarian cancer; splicing factor; tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell* / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell* / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell* / pathology
  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • RNA Splicing Factors* / genetics
  • RNA Splicing Factors* / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing Factors* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • DHX38 protein, human
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases