MISSION short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral vectors (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) expressing five TopBP1-specific shRNAs (constructs 1–5) were transfected into 293T cells and lentiviral particles were prepared as previously described 25 (link). CIN612 cells were then incubated with concentrated TopBP1 shRNA or scramble shRNA lentiviral soup with 4 μg/ml hexadimethrine bromide (Polybrene; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) in 5ml total volume E media overnight at 37°C. The cells were washed the next day, and maintained in fresh E media for an additional 48 hours before further processing or analysis. Similar processes applied to the preparation of p73 knockdown cells.