The METTL14‐YTHDF1‐SAP30 Axis Promotes Glycolysis and Oxaliplatin Resistance in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma via m6A Modification

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent cancer with a poor prognosis, especially in advanced metastatic stages. This study identifies SAP30 as a significantly upregulated gene in COAD, linking high SAP30 expression to reduced overall survival. Experimental validation revealed elevated SAP30 levels in CRC cell lines (SW480, RKO, HT29, and HCT15), with the highest expression in oxaliplatin-resistant sublines (HT29-OxR and HCT15-OxR). SAP30 knockdown in oxaliplatin-resistant cells reduced glycolytic activity, glucose consumption, and glycolytic enzyme expression (LDHA, HK1, HK2, GLUT1, and GLUT4), while SAP30 overexpression enhanced glycolysis, partially reversed by the GLUT1 inhibitor WZB117. SAP30 also promoted cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and enhanced migration and invasion in resistant CRC cells. Mechanistically, METTL14, an m6A methyltransferase, upregulates SAP30 mRNA via m6A modification, stabilized by the m6A reader protein YTHDF1. This METTL14-YTHDF1-SAP30 axis sustains SAP30 expression, promoting glycolysis and oxaliplatin resistance. In vivo studies confirmed that SAP30 knockout impairs tumor growth and reduces proliferation and glycolysis markers. This study highlights the METTL14-YTHDF1-SAP30 axis in glycolysis and chemoresistance in CRC, suggesting SAP30 as a potential target to overcome oxaliplatin resistance and improve patient outcomes.