CRISPR/Cas9-mediated inactivation of miR-34a and miR-34b/c in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells: comprehensive characterization after exposure to 5-FU reveals EMT and autophagy as key processes regulated by miR-34

The miR-34a and miR-34b/c encoding genes represent direct targets of the p53 transcription factor, and presumably mediate part of the tumor suppressive effects of p53. Here, we sought to determine their functional relevance by inactivating miR-34a and/or miR-34b/c using a CRISPR/Cas9 approach in the colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HCT116. Concomitant deletion of miR-34a and miR-34b/c resulted in significantly reduced suppression of proliferation after p53 activation, enhanced …