In this study, by expression correlation analysis and methylation search, COL3A1 was identified as the target gene candidate of METTL3. Collagen type III alpha 1 chain (COL3A1), which encodes the pro-alpha 1 chains of type III collagen, previously was reported to be associated with malignant potential of breast cancer (19). Here, COL3A1 is linked to breast carcinoma.