Abstract: Abstract：Objective To explore the expression of the N- methyl- D- aspartate receptor type 1 (NMDAR1) in the colorectal cancer cells (CRC), and to examine the effects of NMDAR1 antagonists MK801 on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of colorectal cancer cell line HT-29 and SW116 cells. Methods The immunocytochemistry method was used to examine the expressions of NMDAR1 in HT-29 and SW116 cells. MTT assay was used to detect the effects of MK801 (62.5, 125.0, 250.0, 500.0, 1 000.0, 2 000.0 μmol/L) on the proliferation of HT-29 and SW116 cells. The flow cytometry was used to analyze the effect of MK801 (2 000 μmol/L) on cell apoptosis of HT-29 and SW116 cells. Wound healing assay was used to detect the effect of MK801 (50 μmol/L) on the migration of HT- 29 or SW116 cells. Results The NMDAR1 was expressed in both HT- 29 and SW116 cells, and mainly in the cytoplasm. MTT assay showed that there were inhibitory effects of different concentrations of MK 801 (62.5, 125.0, 250.0, 500.0, 1 000.0, 2 000.0 μmol/L) on the proliferation of HT- 29 cells, and inhibitory effects of different concentrations of MK801 (500.0, 1 000.0, 2 000.0 μmol/L) on SW116 cells, in a time- dependent manner. For 24, 48 and 72 h, the inhibitory effects of MK801 on proliferation rates of HT-29 and SW116 cells were increased with the increased concentrations of MK801. MK801 showed an effect to induce cell apoptosis in HT- 29 and SW116 cells, and mainly for early apoptosis. Wound healing assay indicated that MK801 inhibited the cell migration of HT-29 and SW116 cells. Conclusion Results suggest that there is expression of NMDAR1 in colorectal cancer cells. The NMDAR1 antagonist MK801 can inhibit the proliferation, induce cells early apoptosis and inhibit cells migration. It may be a new generation of antitumor drugs.

Key words: colonic neoplasms, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell movement, in vitro, N- methyl - D- aspartate receptor subtype 1, MK801, HT-29, SW116