Abstract:

【Objective】 To obtain the influence of α-T on the mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle of insect cell is essential. 【Method】 Rhodamine123 and flow cytometer were employed to acquire the influence of α-T on the mitochondrial membrane potential of Spodoptera litura cell after 24 h and 48 h treatments. The cell cycle phases were determined with propidium iodide (PI) through FCM. 【Result】 After 24 h treatment, the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells treated with 0.0625 μg•mL-1and 0.1250 μg•mL-1 changed little. While the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells treated with 0.5000 μg•mL-1 increased obviously. After 48 h, the mitochondrial membrane potential of the treatment with high dose (1.0000 μg•mL-1) depolarized. Moreover , the cell cycle was arrested in S phase when SL cell was treated with low dose (0.0625 μg•mL-1) after 24 h treatment. However, it was arrested in G2/M phase when treated with higher dose. After 48 h, the cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase with lower dose (≤0.1250 μg•mL-1) and in S phase with higher dose (≥0.1250 μg•mL-1). 【Conclusion】 After treatment, the cells were in a serial complicated status. When the cells couldn’t resist the oxidation damage caused by ROS, the mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle phase changed violently. These changes decided the path of cells damage and death.

Key words: α-terthienyl (α-T)')">α-terthienyl (α-T), Spodoptera litura cell, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell cycle, flow cytometry, Rhodamine123, propidium iodide (PI)