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The effect of environmental micropollutant (DEET) on the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins in human cells

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Abstract

N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is an insect repellent used worldwide, and a common micropollutant in aquatic environments. However, few studies have addressed the molecular mechanism of DEET toxicity and its effects on cell growth and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of DEET on the expression of the cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins in human BE(2)-M17 cells. The results showed that DEET significantly decreased the cell viability (40.6 ∼ 68.9% of control) at concentrations of 500 ∼ 4,000 mg/L. Also, DEET significantly decreased the expressions of CDK 2, CDK 4, and cyclin D1 (3.9 ∼ 86.6% of control), at concentrations of 50 ∼ 400 mg/L but from 100 mg/L for cyclin E. Furthermore, DEET significantly increased the expression of caspase-3 (223.1 ∼ 1,770.6% of control), but significantly decreased Bcl-2 expression (46.1 ∼ 86.3% of control) at all concentrations tested. In conclusion, DEET partially affected the expression of CDK/cyclin molecules, but fully affected the expressions of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 in BE(2)-M17 cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Ministry of Education, School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, 100-044, P. R. China

    Xianghao Ren

  2. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 500-712, Korea

    In S. Kim, Jin Wook Lee, Hye-Weon Yu, Sung-Jo Kim & Am Jang

  3. Molecular Biogeochemical Laboratory, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Yianbian University of Science and Technology (YUST), Jilin, 133-000, China

    Jin-Soo Chang

  4. Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, BK21 Biotherapy Human Resources Center, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757, Korea

    Jung Sun Heo & Ho Jae Han

  5. Department of Environmental Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, 641-773, Korea

    Xianghao Ren

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  1. In S. Kim
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Correspondence to In S. Kim.

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Kim, I.S., Ren, X., Chang, JS. et al. The effect of environmental micropollutant (DEET) on the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins in human cells. Biotechnol Bioproc E 16, 400–406 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-010-0173-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-010-0173-1

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