USP38 and breast cancer: Specifically, METTL14 upregulates USP38, which enhances the expression of tumor suppressor genes that inhibit EMT-related transcription factors such as Snail, Slug, and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1.16 This mechanism demonstrates how METTL14 hinders the expression of EMT markers (e.g., matrix metalloproteinase-9) in BC cells, creating a barrier to cancer cell migration and dissemination.