Abstract: Objective The objective of our study is to explore the mechanisms by which selenite at super-nutritional range induced autophagy and apoptosis. Methods Western blot was used to detect the alteration of IKK α, P73, UVRAG and apoptotic markers(such as caspase 8) , while transfection assays were carried out to determine the essential role of signal molecules in regulating cell fate. Indirect immunofluorescent assay was used to judge the alteration of protein location. Results 20 μmol/L selenite promoted Jurkat cells undergoing caspase 8-related apoptosis and autophagy(P<0.05), while autophagy was necessary for the cleavage of caspase 8(P<0.05). Further experiments discovered that selenite regulated the contents of P73 and UVRAG(P<0.05), a maker of autophagy, through accumulating IKK α in the nucleus of Jurkat cells(P<0.05). Conclusions Super-nutritional selenite induced autophagy-dependent caspase 8 activation and apoptosis through accumulating IKK α in the nucleus.

Key words: Selenite, Apoptosis, Autophagy, caspase 8, IKK α