L3MBTL3 and STAT3 collaboratively upregulate SNAIL expression to promote metastasis in female breast cancer

Jianpeng Xiao, Jie Wang, Jialun Li, Jie Xiao, CuiCui Liu, Libi Tan, Yanhong Tu, Ruifang Yang, Yujie Pei, Minghua Wang, Jiemin Wong, Binhua P. Zhou, Jing Li () and Jing Feng ()
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Jianpeng Xiao: Southern Medical University
Jie Wang: Southern Medical University
Jialun Li: East China Normal University
Jie Xiao: Southern Medical University
CuiCui Liu: Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital
Libi Tan: Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital
Yanhong Tu: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ruifang Yang: Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital
Yujie Pei: Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital
Minghua Wang: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Jiemin Wong: East China Normal University
Binhua P. Zhou: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Jing Li: Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital
Jing Feng: Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: Abstract The STAT3 pathway promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion and metastasis in cancer. STAT3 upregulates the transcription of the key epithelial–mesenchymal transition transcription factor SNAIL in a DNA binding-independent manner. However, the mechanism by which STAT3 is recruited to the SNAIL promoter to upregulate its expression is still elusive. In our study, the lysine methylation binding protein L3MBTL3 is positively associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in female patients with breast cancer. L3MBTL3 also promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis in breast cancer. Mechanistic analysis reveals that L3MBTL3 interacts with STAT3 and recruits STAT3 to the SNAIL promoter to increase SNAIL transcription levels. The interaction between L3MBTL3 and STAT3 is required for SNAIL transcription upregulation and metastasis in breast cancer, while the methylated lysine binding activity of L3MBTL3 is not required for these functions. In conclusion, L3MBTL3 and STAT3 synergistically upregulate SNAIL expression to promote breast cancer metastasis.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55617-9

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