Mechanism of UBE2T regulating endometrial cancer proliferation through m6A modification

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a prevalent malignancy in women. UBE2T, a member of the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family, has emerged as a potential regulator of cancer progression. In this study, we conducted WGCNA and machine learning analysis using the GEO dataset to identify UBE2T as a key target. Various experimental techniques, including qPCR, WB, IHC, CCK8, EdU, LDH release assays, MeRIP-qPCR and CHX experiments were employed to investigate the expression and function of UBE2T in EC. Additionally, we investigated the mechanism by which UBE2T is regulated through m6A modification. UBE2T is highly expressed in EC and exhibits low m6A modification levels. Knockdown of UBE2T significantly inhibits EC cell proliferation. Both FTO knockdown and METTL3 overexpression increase m6A modification of UBE2T and reduce its expression, respectively. Cycloleucine (CYC) treatment also promoted EC cell proliferation, and overexpression of FTO increased UBE2T expression and enhanced EC cell proliferation. Rescue experiments demonstrated that CYC treatment can reverse the increased m6A modification and restored UBE2T expression following FTO knockdown. Additionally, CYC treatment also rescues the proliferation inhibition caused by UBE2T knockdown in EC cells. Furthermore, UBE2T accelerates P53 protein degradation in EC cell lines. UBE2T is regulated by m6A modification and plays a crucial role in the progression of endometrial cancer by modulating key cellular processes. Targeting its expression or activity may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for intervention.