The Effect of Environmental Micropollutant (DEET) on the Expression of Cell Cycle and Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins in Human Cells

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 similar to 68.9% of control) at concentrations of 500 similar to 4,000 mg/L. Also, DEET significantly decreased the expressions of CDK 2, CDK 4, and cyclin D1 (3.9 similar to 86.6% of control), at concentrations of 50 similar to 400 mg/L but from 100 mg/L for cyclin E. Furthermore, DEET significantly increased the expression of caspase-3 (223.1 similar to 1,770.6% of control), but significantly decreased Bc1-2 expression (46.1 similar to 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 Bc1-2 in BE(2)-M17 cells.