RNA m6A methyltransferase METTL3 promotes colorectal cancer cell proliferation and invasion by regulating Snail expression

Nitrogen 6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is the result of methylation of nitrogen-6 on adenosine, and is the most abundant chemical modification of eukaryotic mRNA. Dysregulation of m(6)A methylation has been implicated in cancer development and progression through various mechanisms. This type of methylation is primarily regulated by methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of METTL3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been extensively elucidated. The present study explored m(6)A modification and the underlying mechanism of m(6)A, which serve regulatory roles in the development of CRC. It was found that METTL3 is upregulated in CRC cell lines and tissues, and its expression positively correlated with poor overall survival (OS). Mechanistically, the present study demonstrated that METTL3 methylates Snail mRNA, thus stabilizing it to promote CRC malignancy. The present findings indicate that m(6)A modification is involved in CRC tumorigenesis, and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target against CRC.