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Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
CRISPR du-HITI an attractive approach to targeting Long Noncoding RNA HCP5 as inhibitory factor for proliferation of
Zeinab Moradi1,2, Mandana Kazemi2, Roya Jamshidi-Khalifelou3
1Biotechnology Research Center, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
Abstract:
This research provides a glimmer of hope that the knockout of HCP5 leads to a therapy response to considerably prolong the life of patients with OC. RT-PCR evaluated the expression of lncRNA HCP5 in the ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 cell line. CRISPR knockout cell lines validated by western blot. Small genomic deletions at the targeted locus were induced. CCK-8 colony formation assays were used to analyze the effect of HCP5 knockout on the proliferation capacity of OVCAR-3 cells. Transwell migration and invasion assayed. Furthermore, the Sphere-formation assay isolated the most aggressive population of cancer stem cells. Bioinformatic analysis showed a significant correlation between lncRNA HCP5 up-regulation and OVCAR-3 cell proliferation. The ChIP technique assesses specific sites of interaction between transcription factors and DNA. Real-time PCR assays explored the relationship between HCP5, Hsa-miR-9-5p, CXCR4, CDH1, caspase-3, p53, bcl2 and survivin. PCR carried out amplification of the 448-bp band for sgRNA1 and sgRNA2 after the use of particular primers for HCP5. the number of breast cancer cells that moved to the bottom chamber reduced considerably after transfection with PX461-sgRNA1/2 vectors compared to the Blank control groups (P < 0.05). MTT assay designated growth curves that showed the rate of OVCAR-3 growth was significantly repressed (***P < 0.001) when compared with control OVCAR-3 cells after HCP5 knockdown. Also, the survival results of W.T cells in 24, 48 and 72 h showed 92%, 87% and 85%, respectively. This is while the cells of the CRISPR/Cas9 group in which LncRNA HCP5 was knocked out had 42% (*P < 0.05), 23%(**P < 0.01) and 14% (**P < 0.01) survival, respectively. The expression levels of caspase-3, Hsa-miR-9-5p, P53 genes in the HCP5 deletion of CRISPR/Cas9 group significantly increased than the W.T. control group; the deletion group showed a considerable reduction in HCP5 expression compared to the blank control group (3.6-fold, p < 0.01). Whereas BCL2, SURVIVIN, CXCR4, CDH1 genes expression markedly increased than in HCP5 knockout cells (5.8-fold, p < 0.05). These results indicate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HCP5 disruption on OVCAR-3 cell lines promotes anti-tumor biomarkers, suppressing ovarian cancer progression. Consistent with these results, HCP5 is one of the most critical lnc for the efficient proliferation and migration of OVCAR-3 cell lines.
Insights
Knocking out HCP5 in ovarian cancer cells significantly reduces proliferation and migration, offering a potential new therapy. This research highlights HCP5 as a critical factor in ovarian cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer development.
- HCP5 has been implicated in various cancers, but its specific role in ovarian cancer requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional role of lncRNA HCP5 in ovarian cancer.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting HCP5 in ovarian cancer cells.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying HCP5's function in ovarian cancer progression.
Main Methods:
- Ovarian cancer cell line (OVCAR-3) utilized for experiments.
- CRISPR/Cas9 technology employed for HCP5 knockout.
- Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness assays performed (CCK-8, Transwell, Sphere-formation).
- RT-PCR, Western blot, ChIP, and bioinformatic analyses used to assess gene expression and interactions.
Main Results:
- HCP5 knockout significantly inhibited OVCAR-3 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
- CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HCP5 disruption led to increased expression of anti-tumor markers (caspase-3, p53, Hsa-miR-9-5p).
- Knockout of HCP5 resulted in decreased expression of pro-tumorigenic factors (BCL2, SURVIVIN, CXCR4, CDH1).
Conclusions:
- HCP5 plays a crucial role in promoting ovarian cancer cell proliferation and migration.
- Targeting HCP5 through knockout strategies demonstrates significant anti-tumor effects.
- Disruption of HCP5 presents a promising therapeutic avenue for ovarian cancer treatment.
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lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs
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Homologous Recombination

