Journal: Experimental Hematology & Oncology

Article Title: METTL3 modulates m6A modification of CDC25B and promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma malignant progression

doi: 10.1186/s40164-022-00256-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: METTL3 high expression is associated with poor prognosis of HNSCC patients. A Dot blot assay was conducted with mRNA extracted from HNSCC tissues and paired paracancerous normal tissues using an anti-m6A antibody, and MB (methylene blue) staining served as the loading control (representative images in left panel). The relative m6A contents on mRNA in HNSCC tissues and paired normal normal tissues were calculated (right panel, n = 7). B TCGA data showed that METTL3 expression was significantly upregulated in HNSCC (n = 520) than normal tissue (n = 44). C Disease-free survival (RFS) of HNSCC patients based on METTL3 expression obtained from GEPIA website ( http://gepia.cancer-pku.cn/ ). D The levels of METTL3 expression in HNSCC and paired normal tissues were measured by qRT-PCR (n = 10). E METTL3 protein levels were measured in HNSCC tissues and paired normal tissues by western blotting (n = 7). F METTL3 expression was significantly upregulated in HNSCC compared with the paired paracancerous normal tissue by IHC staining (n = 5, scale bars = 100 μm). G Kaplan–Meier OS analysis of HNSCC patients based on METTL3 expression measured by IHC of tissue microarray (n = 100). H Univariate Cox regression analysis was conducted in HNSCC patients (n = 100). All bars correspond to 95% confidence intervals. I Multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted in HNSCC patients (n = 100). J The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for the clinical risk score (TNM stage), the METTL3 risk score, and the combined METTL3 and clinical risk scores in HNSCC cohort

Article Snippet: We then established the stable METTL3 knockdown cells (SAS and FaDu), and METTL3-overexpressing cells (Hep2) via METTL3 shRNA or overexpression lentivirus plasmid, respectively (Fig. A–C, Additional file : Figure S2D).

Techniques: Expressing, Dot Blot, Staining, Control, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Immunohistochemistry, Microarray

Journal: Experimental Hematology & Oncology

Article Title: METTL3 modulates m6A modification of CDC25B and promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma malignant progression

doi: 10.1186/s40164-022-00256-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: METTL3 promotes HNSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. A The protein levels of METTL3 in SAS cells with METTL3 knockdown were measured by western blotting (upper panel), and cell proliferation ability in METTL3 knockdown and their corresponding control SAS cells were measured by a CCK8 assay (bottom panel). B The protein levels of METTL3 in FaDu cells with METTL3 knockdown were measured by western blotting (upper panel), and cell proliferation ability in METTL3 knockdown or control FaDu cells were measured by a CCK8 assay (bottom panel). C The protein levels of METTL3 in Hep2 cells with METTL3 overexpression were measured by western blotting (upper panel), and cell proliferation ability in METTL3 knockdown or control Hep2 cells were measured by a CCK8 assay (bottom panel). D , E knockdown of METTL3 inhibits HNSCC cell proliferation by colony formation assay (left panel). Quantification of the colony formation assay results (right panel). F METTL3 overexpression promotes HNSCC cell proliferation by colony formation assay (left panel). Quantification of the colony formation assay results (right panel). G , H knockdown of METTL3 inhibits HNSCC cell migration and invasion by transwell assays. Representative images (scale bars = 100 μm, left panel) and quantification (right panel) of the cell migration and invasion assay results were shown. I METTL3 overexpression promotes HNSCC cell migration and invasion by transwell assays. Representative images (scale bars = 100 μm, left panel) and quantification (right panel) of the cell migration and invasion assay results were shown. The data are the means ± SD of three independent experiments. */# p < 0.05; **/## p < 0.01; ***/### p < 0.001; ****/#### p < 0.0001

Article Snippet: We then established the stable METTL3 knockdown cells (SAS and FaDu), and METTL3-overexpressing cells (Hep2) via METTL3 shRNA or overexpression lentivirus plasmid, respectively (Fig. A–C, Additional file : Figure S2D).

Techniques: Migration, Knockdown, Western Blot, Control, CCK-8 Assay, Over Expression, Colony Assay, Invasion Assay

Journal: Experimental Hematology & Oncology

Article Title: METTL3 modulates m6A modification of CDC25B and promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma malignant progression

doi: 10.1186/s40164-022-00256-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: METTL3 mediates the m6A modification on CDC25B mRNA in HNSCC. A m6A-mRNA epitranscriptomic microarray showed signal pathways in which most differentially expressed gene enriched in METTL3 knockdown cells (SAS), DE represents differentially expressed. B m6A-mRNA epitranscriptomic microarray showed signal pathways in which most differentially methylated genes enriched in METTL3 knockdown cells (SAS), DM represents differentially methylated. C m6A-mRNA epitranscriptomic microarray showed an overlap of the total differentially expressed gene, total differentially methylated gene, and differentially expressed and methylated gene enriched in the cell cycle pathway. D Genes selected from the overlap were used for qRT-PCR in METTL3 knockdown and their corresponding control cells, and CDC25B was the most significantly downregulated gene upon knockdown of METTL3. E , F CDC25B mRNA expression was confirmed by qRT-PCR in METTL3 knockdown (FaDu) and METTL3 overexpression (Hep2) cells. G CDC25B protein level was measured by western blot assay in METTL3 knockdown SAS cells. H CDC25B protein level was measured by western blot assay in METTL3 knockdown FaDu cells. I CDC25B protein level was measured by western blot assay in METTL3 overexpressed Hep2 cells. J MeRIP-qPCR was conducted to detect the m6A level of CDC25B mRNA in METTL3 knockdown (SAS) cells. K MeRIP-qPCR was conducted to detect the m6A level of CDC25B mRNA in METTL3 knockdown (FaDu) cells. L , M The levels of CDC25B expression in METTL3 knockdown and their corresponding control cells treated with actinomycin D (5 μg/mL) at the indicated time points were detected by qRT-PCR. The data are the means ± SD of three independent experiments. */# p < 0.05; **/## p < 0.01; ***/### p < 0.001; ****/#### p < 0.0001

Article Snippet: We then established the stable METTL3 knockdown cells (SAS and FaDu), and METTL3-overexpressing cells (Hep2) via METTL3 shRNA or overexpression lentivirus plasmid, respectively (Fig. A–C, Additional file : Figure S2D).

Techniques: Modification, Microarray, Knockdown, Methylation, Quantitative RT-PCR, Control, Expressing, Over Expression, Western Blot

Journal: Experimental Hematology & Oncology

Article Title: METTL3 modulates m6A modification of CDC25B and promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma malignant progression

doi: 10.1186/s40164-022-00256-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: CDC25B promotes SAS cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression. A The qRT-PCR was conducted to confirm CDC25B knockdown efficiency at mRNA level. B Western blot assay was conducted to confirm CDC25B knockdown efficiency at protein level. C Knockdown of CDC25B inhibited cell proliferation in colony formation assay (left panel); quantification results of colony formation (right panel). D CDC25B knockdown inhibited cell migration and invasion by transwell assays. Representative images (scale bars = 100 μm, left panel) and quantification (right panel) of the cell migration and invasion assay results were shown. E CCK8 assay was conducted on SAS cell after different concentrations of CDC25B inhibitor (menadione) treatment at indicated time. F CDC25B inhibitor (menadione) concentration of 5 μM was used for constant inhibition in colony formation assay and showed that menadione can inhibit cell proliferation (upper panel); quantification results of colony formation (bottom panel). G SAS cells were treated with 5 μM menadione for 24 h and used for transwell assays, showing that menadione can inhibit cell migration and invasion. Representative images (scale bars = 100 μm, left panel) and quantification (right panel) of the cell migration and invasion assay results were shown. Cell cycle G2/M arrest was observed in CDC25B knockdown cells ( H ) and METTL3 knockdown cells ( I ). The data are the means ± SD of three independent experiments. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001

Article Snippet: We then established the stable METTL3 knockdown cells (SAS and FaDu), and METTL3-overexpressing cells (Hep2) via METTL3 shRNA or overexpression lentivirus plasmid, respectively (Fig. A–C, Additional file : Figure S2D).

Techniques: Migration, Quantitative RT-PCR, Knockdown, Western Blot, Colony Assay, Invasion Assay, CCK-8 Assay, Concentration Assay, Inhibition

Journal: Experimental Hematology & Oncology

Article Title: METTL3 modulates m6A modification of CDC25B and promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma malignant progression

doi: 10.1186/s40164-022-00256-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: METTL3 accelerates HNSCC malignant progression by upregulating CDC25B. A Colony formation assay of METTL3 overexpressing Hep2 cells transfected with CDC25B siRNAs and the corresponding control (left panel), numbers of the colony formation were calculated (right panel). B Colony formation assay of METTL3 overexpressing Hep2 cells treated with 5 μM menadione or DMSO for 24 h (left panel), numbers of the colony formation were calculated (right panel). C Transwell assay of METTL3 overexpressing Hep2 cells transfected with CDC25B siRNAs and the corresponding control (left panel) to evaluate cell migration and invasion ability (scale bars = 100 μm, left panel), numbers of cells migrated and invaded were calculated (right panel). D Transwell assay of METTL3 overexpressing Hep2 cells treated with 5 μM menadione or DMOS for 24 h and the corresponding control (scale bars = 100 μm, left panel), numbers of cells migrated and invaded were calculated (right panel). E Cell cycle assay of METTL3 overexpressing Hep2 cells transfected with CDC25B siRNAs and the corresponding control (left panel), percentage of cell cycle phase was calculated (right panel). F Cell cycle assay of METTL3 overexpressing Hep2 cells treated with 5 μM menadione or DMSO for 24 h and the corresponding control (left panel), percentage of cell cycle phase was calculated (right panel). The data are the means ± SD of three independent experiments. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01

Article Snippet: We then established the stable METTL3 knockdown cells (SAS and FaDu), and METTL3-overexpressing cells (Hep2) via METTL3 shRNA or overexpression lentivirus plasmid, respectively (Fig. A–C, Additional file : Figure S2D).

Techniques: Colony Assay, Transfection, Control, Transwell Assay, Migration, Cell Cycle Assay

Journal: Experimental Hematology & Oncology

Article Title: METTL3 modulates m6A modification of CDC25B and promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma malignant progression

doi: 10.1186/s40164-022-00256-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: Overexpression of METTL3 promotes tumor growth and angiogenesis. A Knockdown of METTL3 significantly inhibits subcutaneous tumor growth in nude mice (n = 6). B The tumor volume curve was conducted by measuring every other day. C The mice were executed and tumors were extracted and weighed after 21 days. D CDC25B mRNA level in extracted tumor tissues from METTL3 knockdown and corresponding control groups was measured by qRT-PCR. E METTL3 and CDC25B protein level in extracted tumors from METTL3 knockdown and corresponding control groups was measured by western blot assay. F METTL3 and CDC25B protein level was measured by IHC on extracted tumors from METTL3 knockdown and corresponding control groups (scale bars = 100 μm). G Ki67 and CD31 protein level was measured by IHC on extracted tumors from METTL3 knockdown and corresponding control groups (scale bars = 100 μm). H Tube formation assay was conducted using HUVEC cultured in medium from METTL3 knockdown SAS cells and their corresponding control cells (upper panel), and the number of tubes was calculated (bottom panel). I Tube formation assay was conducted using HUVEC cultured in medium from METTL3 overexpressing Hep2 cells and their corresponding control cell (upper panel), and the number of tubes was calculated (bottom panel; scale bars = 100 μm). J The graphic illustration of METTL3 mediated the m6A modification of CDC25B mRNA, promoting HNSCC cell cycle progression to lead to the cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. The data are the means ± SD of three independent experiments. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; **** p < 0.0001

Article Snippet: We then established the stable METTL3 knockdown cells (SAS and FaDu), and METTL3-overexpressing cells (Hep2) via METTL3 shRNA or overexpression lentivirus plasmid, respectively (Fig. A–C, Additional file : Figure S2D).

Techniques: Over Expression, Knockdown, Control, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Tube Formation Assay, Cell Culture, Modification, Migration

Journal: Journal of Translational Medicine

Article Title: Glutamine metabolism reprogramming promotes bladder cancer progression via PYCR1: a multi-omics and functional validation study

doi: 10.1186/s12967-025-07386-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: PYCR1 knockdown impairs proline synthesis and suppresses the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in BLCA cells. ( A ) Quantification of intracellular proline levels in T24 and J82 cells after PYCR1 knockdown. ( B ) Correlation analysis showing positive associations between PYCR1 expression and SLC1A5 (left) and P5CS (right) in BLCA samples. ( C ) Western blot analysis confirming that knockdown of PYCR1 reduces protein expression levels of P5CS and SLC1A5. ( D ) Heatmap of differentially expressed genes in BLCA cells following PYCR1 knockdown from RNA-seq data. ( E - F ) Pathway enrichment analyses of downregulated ( E ) and upregulated ( F ) genes after PYCR1 knockdown, indicating involvement in PI3K-AKT and immune-related signaling pathways. ( G ) Western blot analysis validating the downregulation of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR pathway components upon PYCR1 knockdown in T24 and J82 cells. ( H ) Western blot analysis of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation following PYCR1 overexpression with or without LY294002 treatment in T24 and J82 cells. PYCR1 overexpression increased phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR, which was reversed by the PI3K inhibitor. Vinculin served as the loading control. Data are presented as mean ± SD from three independent experiments. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01; oe: Overexpression

Article Snippet: To generate stable gene knockdown cells, lentiviral vectors expressing specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequences targeting the desired gene, along with corresponding negative controls, were sourced from Genechem (Shanghai, China).

Techniques: Knockdown, Expressing, Western Blot, RNA Sequencing, Protein-Protein interactions, Activation Assay, Over Expression, Phospho-proteomics, Control