Abstract: Objective To investigate the signaling pathway involved in the colorectal cancer SW480 cell apoptosis induced by selenite. Methods SW480 cells were divided into three groups, respectively treated with selenite, MnTMPyP and their combinations. Monitoring the ROS content in SW480 cells by DCFH-DA fluorescence probes. The phosphorylation of JNK and ATF-2,and the expression of c-Myc,c-Jun,c-Fos,cyclin D1,cyclin A2,Bcl-2 and other related proteins were detected by Western blot. Cell apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. Results Selenite can induce SW480 cells to produce ROS. Selenite can induced SW480 cell apoptosis by downregulating the phosphorylation of JNK and ATF-2,and the expression of c-Myc, c-Jun,c-Fos, cyclin D1, cyclin A2, Bcl-2(P<0.05). The ROS inhibitor MnTMPyP can reduced the effects caused by selenite(P<0.05). Conclusions Selenite can induce ROS generation,inhibit JNK and ATF-2 phosphorylation and the expression of c-Myc,c-Jun,c-Fos,cyclin D1,cyclin A2 and Bcl-2, thus promote apoptosis in SW480 cells.

Key words: selenite, SW480 cell, ROS, JNK, cyclins