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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
09:25
Transplantation Into the Mouse Ovarian Fat Pad
Published on: September 7, 2016
IGF2BP3 promotes epithelial ovarian cancer progression by regulating FASN expression
Danting Sun1, Yuance Xu2, Jiaze Gao1
1Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Scientific Reports
|June 11, 2026
Summary
High IGF2BP3 expression in ovarian cancer promotes progression by stabilizing FASN mRNA, activating WNT/β-catenin signaling, and driving metastasis. Inhibiting FASN reverses these effects, offering a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal malignancy.
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification regulates gene expression.
- High IGF2BP3 expression correlates with poor prognosis in EOC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which IGF2BP3 drives EOC progression.
- To identify the target molecules and pathways regulated by IGF2BP3 in EOC.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting the IGF2BP3-FASN axis.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the interaction between IGF2BP3 and FASN mRNA using m6A-dependent mechanisms.
- Analyzed the activation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway.
- Utilized in vitro and in vivo models to assess the impact of IGF2BP3 and FASN manipulation.
- Evaluated the efficacy of FASN inhibition using orlistat.
Main Results:
- IGF2BP3 recognizes and stabilizes m6A-modified FASN mRNA, promoting EOC progression.
- IGF2BP3-mediated FASN stabilization activates the WNT/β-catenin pathway, enhancing lipid synthesis and cell proliferation.
- Pharmacological inhibition of FASN by orlistat reversed IGF2BP3-induced oncogenic effects.
- Knockdown of IGF2BP3 or FASN inhibited EOC cell proliferation and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- A novel m6A-dependent IGF2BP3-FASN-WNT signaling axis drives EOC progression.
- IGF2BP3 promotes EOC via stabilizing FASN mRNA and activating WNT/β-catenin.
- Targeting the IGF2BP3-FASN pathway, potentially with orlistat, offers a promising therapeutic strategy for EOC.
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