By conducting RIP and gene-specific m6A assays (Fig. 6b–d and Supplementary Fig. S5a, b), we confirmed the m6A modification and IGF2BP1 binding in the same region of MKK6 and MAPK14. Furthermore, we detected the expression of MKK6 and p38 in IGF2BP1-ablated ESCC cells and Western blot analysis showed that the knockdown of IGF2BP1 in RPS15-overexpressing ESCC cells diminished the upregulating effect of RPS15 on MKK6 and p38 expression (Fig. 6e). This evidence concerns the gene IGF2BP1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.