METTL1 depletion reduced the level of pULK1, and increased the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I in both chloroquine (CQ) treated and untreated K150 and K30 cells (Fig. 3u, v and Supplementary Fig. 4m), suggesting the increased autophagy level in the METTL1 knockdown ESCC cells. The gene discussed is METTL1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.