Methyltransferase-like 3 Aggravates HCC Development via Mediating N6-Methyladenosine of Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 7

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in regulating HCC by mediating m6A level of ubiquitin-specific protease (USP7). METTL3 levels and m6A contents in HCC tissues and cells were detected. Potential correlations between METTL3 level and lymphatic metastasis, tumor size, tumor staging, and overall survival of HCC patients were analyzed. Moreover, its regulatory effects on proliferative, migratory, and invasive rates of HCC cells were examined. Potential methylation of USP7 in HCC was predicted using an online software, and the correlation between USP7 and METTL3 was assessed. METTL3 and m6A were increased both in HCC cells and tissues. High level of METTL3 was associated with the incidence of lymphatic metastasis, large tumor size, advanced tumor staging, and low overall survival of HCC. Silencing of METTL3 reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion rates. USP7 was predicted to have a methylation site regulated by METTL3. It was upregulated in HCC and associated with METTL3 level positively. USP7 silencing decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion rates of HCC cells. METTL3 promotes HCC to proliferate, migrate, and invade by regulating m6A methylation of USP7.