Fig. 6: METTL3 reduces APC expression and promotes β-catenin downstream gene expression, aerobic glycolysis, ESCC cell proliferation and tumour development.

a Immunoblotting analyses of KYSE180 cells with or without METTL3 shRNA expression or combined METTL3 shRNA and APC shRNA expression were performed with the indicated antibodies for three times with similar results. b, c Glucose consumption (b) and lactate production (c) of KYSE180 cells with or without METTL3 shRNA expression, or combined METTL3 shRNA and APC shRNA expression were determined. Data represent the means ± SD of triplicate samples. **p = 0.0093 (b) and p = 0.0062 (c) based on two-tailed Student’s t-test. ns, not significant. d KYSE180 cells with or without METTL3 shRNA expression or combined METTL3 shRNA and APC shRNA expression were cultured for the indicated periods of time and collected for cell counting. Data represent the means ± SD of triplicate samples. **p = 0.0023 based on two-tailed Student’s t-test. ns, not significant. e–i KYSE180 cells with or without METTL3 shRNA expression or combined METTL3 shRNA and APC shRNA expression were subcutaneously injected into the flank regions of nude mice (n = 6). Six weeks later, tumour sizes (e), volumes (f) and weight (g) were measured. Data represent the means ± SD of six mice in each group. **p = 0.0025 (f), *p = 0.0135 (g) based on two-tailed Student’s t-test. h IHC staining of tumour tissues was performed with the indicated antibodies for three times with similar results. Representative images are shown. Scale bar, 100 μm. i The protein expression levels of the indicated proteins were displayed. *p = 0.0269, **p = 0.0033, 0.0069 and 0.0011 (left to right), ***p = 8.35E – 05, 0.0002 and 0.0008 (left to right) based on two-tailed Student’s t-test. ns, not significant. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.