The m6A/METTL3 modifies SATB2 suppresses cell proliferation and migration of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma through targeting the Warburg effect by inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

• The interaction between the active constituents of SATB2 and Wnt1 results in the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin. • METTL3-mediated m6A modification reduces SATB2 stability in a YTHDF1-dependent manner in an LSCC model. • METTL3-mediated m6A may inducing the Warburg effect in an LSCC model. This study aimed to explore the specific AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) regulated Warburg effect of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and its possible mechanism of action. Bioinformatic and single-cell analyses revealed that SATB2 expression was suppressed in patients with LSCC. In an in vitro model, SATB2 suppressed LSCC cells proliferation and migration. Si-SATB2 promotes LSCC cells proliferation and migration. Additionally, sh-SATB2 promotes LSCC proliferation in a mouse model. SATB2 suppresses Wnt expression in an in vitro model and si-SATB2 induces Wnt expression in an in vitro model. Additionally, sh-SATB2 suppresses Wnt expression in a mouse model. Wnt inhibitors reduce the effects of si-SATB2 or sh-SATB2 on the Warburg effect and cell proliferation in a mouse or in vitro model of LSCC. SATB2 interacts with Wnt proteins to reduce Wnt protein ubiquitination. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3)-mediated m6A modification decreases SATB2 stability in a YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) −dependent manner in an LSCC model. The interaction between the active constituents of SATB2 and Wnt1 results in the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin, thereby affecting the Wnt/β-catenin-mediated Warburg effect. This study demonstrated that METTL3-mediated m6A modification reduces SATB2 stability in a YTHDF1-dependent manner in an LSCC model, with remarkable efficacy in inducing the Warburg effect in an LSCC model.