Lithium chloride arrests HK-2 cell cycle in G2 phase through AKT/GSK-3β signal pathway / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of lithium chloride (LiCl) on cell cycle of HK-2 cells and explore the possible pathways involved.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HK-2 cells were treated with LiCl at different concentrations (5, 12.5, 20, and 25 mmol/L) for 12, 24, 48, or 72 h, and the changes in cell cycle and viability were detected using flow cytometry and CCK-8 assay, respectively. Western blotting was used to analyze the changes in the expressions of cyclin B1 and CDK1 (the two G2 phase-related proteins) and those of AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway-related proteins in the treated cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>LiCl treatment time- and concentration-dependently increased HK-2 cell percentage in G2 phase and decreased the cell vitality. The expressions of cyclin B1, CDK1, p-GSK-3β, and β-catenin increased and the expression of p-AKT decreased significantly in the cells as LiCl treatment time and concentration increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LiCl may cause HK-2 cell cycle arrest in G2 phase through activation of the AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway.</p>