The FLAG-tagged coding sequence of APE1 was cloned into pcDNA3.1 mammalian expression plasmid (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA USA). The APE1 coding sequence from pcDNA3.1/APE1 plasmid was sub-cloned using Xba I and BamH I restriction sites in the adenoviral shuttle vector pACCMV. The recombinant adenovirus expressing APE1 was generated by co-transfecting HEK-293 cells with the shuttle and backbone adenoviral pJM17 plasmids using a Calcium Phosphate Transfection kit (Applied Biological Materials Inc., Richmond, BC) (34 (link)). Lentivirus particles expressing APE1 shRNA or control shRNA were produced by VectorBuilder Inc. (Santa Clara, CA, USA) and then used to transduce OE33 and CPB cells. Control siRNA (sc-29470) and APE1 siRNA (sc-29470) were obtained from Santa Cruz Biotechnology.