Systematic screening for functional exon-skipping isoforms using the CRISPR-RfxCas13d system.

Abstract

Exon skipping (ES) is the most prevalent form of alternative splicing and a hallmark of tumorigenesis, yet its functional roles remain underexplored. Here, we present a CRISPR-RfxCas13d-based platform for transcript-specific silencing of ES-derived isoforms using guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting exon-exon junctions. We designed a transcriptome-wide gRNA library against 3,744 human ES events and conducted loss-of-function screens in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in vitro and in vivo. This screen uncovered multiple ES events essential for CRC growth, notably HMGN3 Δ6, an isoform arising from exon 6 skipping, which enhanced tumor proliferation. Functional validation confirmed the oncogenic role of HMGN3 Δ6 and its necessity for CRC progression. Our study establishes CRISPR-RfxCas13d as a powerful tool for isoform-specific functional genomics and reveals a widespread, previously uncharacterized layer of tumor biology driven by ES. These findings position ES-derived transcripts as promising targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer.